What are Opioids?
Opioids are often prescribed to relieve pain. They act on the brain and can produce a euphoric effect. These medications are highly addictive and can be deadly if used improperly. And the number of teens and young adults harmed or killed by illicit drugs is increasing at an alarming rate!
In recent years, opioids like heroin, fentanyl, carfentanil, and xylazine appeared in illegal drug markets. Drug dealers began mixing them with other drugs. These dangerous drugs can come in the form of a powder or a liquid, and sometimes they are even found in nasal sprays, eye drops, or small pieces of candy. And counterfeit pills are manufactured that appear identical to the prescription versions.
As a result of this covert mixing of dangerous substances, many people have died after ingesting a drug they did not know was laced with fentanyl (or a similar opioid). Opiates are dangerous by themselves but when you add a second drug it intensifies the potency exponentially.
In 2016, the Drug Enforcement Agency issued a warning about carfentanil (a drug used to sedate elephants). This warning states carfentanil is a dangerous opioid that is 10,000 times more potent than morphine and 100 times more potent than fentanyl. In other words, these drugs are deadly in tiny amounts. For example, it only takes about 2 mg of Fentanyl to shut down someone’s respiratory system. 2 mg is the equivalent of 10-15 grains of salt. The photo below shows the miniscule amount of carfentanil it takes to kill a human being.
The bottom line: Less than ONE PILL CAN KILL.
Commonly Abused Opioids
When you are a parent or guardian, it can be helpful to pay attention to the language teenagers use to communicate amongst themselves. Their unique way of communicating is not a bad thing, unless it relates to drugs. Street names are often used to disguise conversations about illicit drugs. Included below are some of the code names used to refer to opiates that are most often abused. These names might help you identify any unusual or suspicious communications.
|
Common Drug Name
|
Other Prescription Names
|
Street or Code Name
|
Appearance
|
|
Oxycodone
|
Oxycontin, Percodan, Percocet, Oxecta, Oxycet, Roxicodone
|
Kicker, 30s, 40s, 512s, Oxy, O.C. Beans, Blues, Buttons, Cotton, Kickers, Killers, Percs, and Roxy
|
|
|
Fentanyl
(100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin)
|
Actiq, Duragesic, Fentora, Lazanda and Sublimaze.
|
Apache, Birria, Blonde, Blue Diamond, China Buffet, China White, China Girl, Dance Fever, Facebook, Friend, Goodfella, Jackpot, Murder 8, Snowflake, TNT, Tango and Cash, White Ladies.
|
In tablet form, Fentanyl comes in a variety of colors.
Drug dealers sometimes combine fentanyl powder with heroine, which can be a deadly combination.
|
|
Hydrocodone or Dihydrocodeinone
|
Vicodin, Norco, Zohydro, Hysingla Co-gesic, Liquicet, Lorcet, Dolacet, Anexsia, Zydone, Xodol
|
Robo, Tuss, Vikes, Veeks, Idiot Pills, Scratch, 357s, Lemonade, Bananas, Dones, Droco, and Lorries.
|
Vicodin
Norco is a yellow oval-shaped pill. A version of these opiates can also be found in liquid/syrup form.
|
|
Codeine (like Hydrocodone)
|
|
Syrup, schoolboy or Cody.
|
Sometimes found in cough syrup or in Tylenol with codeine.
|
|
Morphine
|
Avinza, Kadian
|
Mister blue, dreamer
|
 
|
Over 150 people die every day from overdoses related to synthetic opioids like fentanyl.
Illicit drugs may contain deadly levels of fentanyl, and you wouldn’t be able to see it, taste it, or smell it. It is nearly impossible to tell if drugs have been laced with fentanyl unless the drugs are tested with fentanyl test strips.
Test strips are inexpensive and typically give results within 5 minutes, which can be the difference between life or death. Even if the test is negative, this is not a full-proof test because the strips might not detect more potent fentanyl-like drugs, such as carfentanil.
SIGNS OF OVERDOSE
Recognizing the signs of opioid overdose can save a life. Here are some things to look for:
- Slurred speech
- Small, constricted “pinpoint pupils”
- Falling asleep or losing consciousness
- Slow, weak, or no breathing
- Choking or gurgling sounds
- Limp body
- Cold and/or clammy skin
- Discolored, bluish skin (especially noticeable in lips and nails)
WHAT TO DO IF YOU THINK SOMEONE IS OVERDOSING:
It may be hard to tell whether a person is high or experiencing an overdose. If you aren’t sure, treat it like an overdose—you could save a life.
- 1.)Call 911 IMMEDIATELY.
- 2.)Administer naloxone, if available.
- 3.)Try to keep the person awake and breathing.
- 4.)Lay the person on their side to prevent choking.
- 5.)Stay with the person until emergency assistance arrives.
SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES
Prince William County has services that can help:
Community Services Board
https://www.pwcva.gov/department/community-services/mental-health-substance-abuse-services
Youth for Tomorrow
https://www.youthfortomorrow.org/outpatient/bristow/
Woodbridge Treatment Center
https://opioid.com/listings/woodbridge-methadone-treatment-center-wmtc/