Take the Pledge
Fentanyl Yakama Initiative (FYI) encourages everyone to Take the Pledge against fentanyl and to join together in supporting a strong community that is drug free.
Our goal is to create awareness about the impact of fentanyl, to offer resources that support and educate our people, and use the strength of our community to saves lives.
If you or someone you know is actively using illegal or illicit drugs, remind them about FYI and ask them to sign the Free From Fentanyl Pledge. Let’s pledge to end this outbreak together.
Free from Fentanyl Pledge
What is Fentanyl?
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid painkiller used for treating severe pain. Unless administered by a medical professional or prescribed and used under the supervision of a doctor, it can be deadly.
Outside of the medical field, fentanyl is illegally made and used in street drugs and fake prescription pills. It is combined with other drugs in random concentrations to make them cheaper, more powerful, more addictive, and more dangerous. These factors put users at risk of an overdose.
Did You Know?
Fentanyl is
stronger than heroin.
Source: dea.gov
Fentanyl is
more potent than morphine.
Source: dea.gov
Fentanyl is
on the list of biggest killers of 18-24 year-olds in the U.S.
Source: cdc.gov
Fentanyl is connected to
of overdoses in the U.S.
Source: dea.gov
Fentanyl is involved in
more deaths
of Americans under 50 than any other cause of death.
Source: dea.gov
Native Americans die at
the state average in Washington from opioid overdoses.
Source: cdc.gov
Native Americans
have a higher death rate from fentanyl overdose than any other racial group.
Source: cdc.gov
of fentanyl is all it takes to overdose - that's around 2 grains of sand.
Source: dea.gov
pills laced with fentanyl contain a potentially lethal dose.
Source: dea.gov
lethal doses of fentanyl was seized by the DEA in 2023 - enough to kill every American.
Source: dea.gov
Fentanyl is commonly found in street drugs like meth, cocaine, and heroin, as well as in fake prescription pills that resemble pain relievers (Vicodin®, Percocet®), depressants (Valium®, Xanax®) and stimulants (Adderall®).
Source: cdc.gov
people die every day from overdoses relating to synthetic opioids like fentanyl.
Source: cdc.gov
of overdose deaths happen inside a house.
Source: cdc.gov
of overdose deaths happen with a bystander present.
Source: cdc.gov
Save a Life
Call 911
Don’t be afraid to call 911 if you witness an overdose. Under Washington’s Good Samaritan Law, if you in good faith help someone who is overdosing, you have general protection from legal action.
Carry Naloxone (NARCAN®)
This over-the-counter nasal spray can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose for 60-90 min, which can give emergency services more time to get to someone who has overdosed.
Test for Fentanyl
Fentanyl test strips are a tool that can reduce the risk of a fentanyl overdose. They typically give results within 2-5 minutes, which can be the difference between life or death.
Fentanyl and Xylazine
Xylazine is a non-opioid animal tranquilizer that has been found mixed with fentanyl and other drugs to make drugs cheaper, more powerful, more long-lasting, and more addictive. In addition to its sedative abilities, it can also cause symptoms like skin infections and wounds. This occurs regardless of how it is used. Combined with fentanyl or other synthetic opioids, xylazine can increase the likelihood of a fatal overdose.
Like fentanyl, it doesn’t take much xylazine to overdose. Unlike fentanyl, the symptoms of a xylazine overdose can’t be reversed by naloxone. If an overdosing individual doesn’t respond to naloxone, xylazine may be involved.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the side effects of fentanyl?
Like other opioids, fentanyl can cause side effects such as:
- Euphoria, or pleasurable sense of well being and bliss
- Pain relief
- Relaxation
- Drowsiness
- Falling asleep or losing consciousness
- Dizziness
- Confusion
- Slowed breathing
- Nausea
- Constipation
What are common signs of a fentanyl overdose?
Symptoms of an overdose include:
- Confusion
- Falling asleep or losing consciousness
- Difficult to wake up
- Pinpoint pupils
- Clammy skin
- Blue or pale lips or fingernails
- Choking or gurgling sounds
Can I overdose by touching fentanyl?
Fentanyl in pills and as a powder can be absorbed through the skin, but only if direct contact is made over the course of several hours or days. However, fentanyl can be absorbed through the eyes, nose, and mouth if it makes direct contact. Additionally, the gel in fentanyl patches are designed to be absorbed through the skin.
Avoid touching anything you think may be fentanyl. If you think you have touched fentanyl, be sure to wash the affected area and clothing as soon as possible. Do not use hand sanitizer, as the alcohol may increase skin absorption. Avoid touching your face, especially your eyes, nose, and mouth. If you are using fentanyl patches, be sure to take precautions to help prevent exposure to children, pets, and others.
What do I do if someone is overdosing?
- Call 911 immediately.*
- Administer naloxone, if available.**
- Try to keep the person awake and breathing.
- Lay the person on their side to prevent choking.
- Stay with the person until emergency assistance arrives.
*Most states have laws that may protect a person who is overdosing or the person who called for help from legal trouble.
** Naloxone is a life-saving medication that can reverse the effects of opioid overdose and save lives. It is available in all 50 states and can be purchased from a local pharmacy without a prescription in most states.
Where can I get naloxone?
The White Swan Community Coalition offers Narcan® distribution and training for opioid overdose prevention. They are located at 520 Signal Peak Rd, White Swan, WA 98952.
Naloxone is available for purchase over the counter through many pharmacies, and all pharmacies in Washington can provide it to individuals without a prescription. You can find pharmacies that provide naloxone in Yakima county on the Yakima Health District website.
Naloxone is also available through Washington’s mail order program. You can order for mail online or see other options at stopoverdose.org.
Where can I find fentanyl test strips?
Fentanyl test strips are available for sale. Some options include DanceSafe.org and Dosetest.com.
What are the withdrawal symptoms of fentanyl?
Fentanyl can cause severe withdrawal symptoms that can start as early as a few hours after use. Withdrawal symptoms for fentanyl include:
- Muscle and bone pain
- Sleep problems
- Diarrhea and vomiting
- Cold flashes with goose bumps
- Uncontrollable leg movements
- Severe cravings
Where can I find local treatment and recovery options?
To find treatment options in Washington state, visit the Washington Recovery Help Line website.
Where can I find other treatment and recovery options?
The most comprehensive collection of recovery resources is through FindTreatment.gov.
About FYI
Fentanyl Yakama Initiative (FYI) is a collaboration to raise awareness about drugs laced with fentanyl. People are dying from overdoses at alarming rates, and many because fentanyl is unknowingly mixed into the illegal drugs and fake prescription pills that they are using.
If you or someone you know is actively using illegal or illicit drugs, remind them about FYI and ask them to sign the Free From Fentanyl Pledge.