Fentanyl is a very strong opioid often found in counterfeit pills (like addies, percs, oxys) and other drugs such as heroin, crack cocaine, cocaine and other substances.
In our state, 3 out of every 4 overdose deaths involved fentanyl. Many people who overdosed did not know that their drugs, (like cocaine, meth, or pills), contained fentanyl.
Want to learn more?
Find out more information about resources you can get to avoid a fentanyl overdose:
How to Stay Safer with Fentanyl
It only takes a small amount of fentanyl – as much as could fit on the tip of a pencil – to cause an overdose, especially in people who are not expecting to use fentanyl or have no tolerance for opioids, like Fentanyl. Fentanyl overdoses can happen quickly. Learn how you can stay safer to prevent an overdose:
Have Naloxone
Overdose happens fast. Make sure you and your friends carry naloxone/Narcan.
Use with Others
Make sure someone is around who is willing to use naloxone in the event of an overdose.
What can I do?
I can learn how to respond to an overdose
If you think that someone is overdosing, you need to act fast. Give them naloxone and call 911. If you stay to help and administer naloxone to someone who is overdosing, you are protected by the Rhode Island Good Samaritan Law. The Good Samaritan Law provides certain legal protection when you call 911 when someone is overdosing, whether you have drugs on you or not.
Learn more about how to respond to an overdose.
I can get naloxone and have it with me every time I use drugs
Overdoses happen fast and we need to act quickly. Naloxone is the only medication that can reverse an overdose. Sometimes you need to give more than one dose of naloxone to reverse an overdose. Find out where you can get naloxone.
I can have someone with me when I use drugs.
Someone has to give you naloxone if you overdose. So, take turns using drugs with someone who can call 911 and give you naloxone if you overdose. First responders will arrive with more naloxone to give to someone who is overdosing.
I can use fentanyl test strips.
Fentanyl test strips are easy to use tests to see if your drugs may contain fentanyl. When you get your result, you can make the decision about what to do next. Learn more about fentanyl test strips.
More Resources
Use Drugs Safer
There are many resources in Rhode Island that can help you use drugs more safely. You can get new needles, naloxone, and fentanyl test strips for free. You can also get tested for HIV and hepatitis C. Find out more on our People Who Use Drugs page.
Stay informed on safer drug use and how to stay safer with Fentanyl with these infographics: English, Español