In 2021, California had over 7,000 deaths because of opioid overdose 83% was with fentanyl.

Fentanyl is a man-made opioid that is almost 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. It can come as a prescription medicine but can also be made into a powder or liquid. Fentanyl may be mixed or laced with drugs like heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine (meth) pills that look like medicine. You can get Fentanyl test strips to see if fentanyl is present, which can be the difference between life or death.

You can get fentanyl test strips from the San Francisco Aids Foundation.

If you or your loved ones use street drugs, it is important to have and know how to use naloxone. Naloxone can stop an opioid overdose long enough for you to get help. You can get more info on naloxone and other safety resources at harmreduction.org.

If you use street drugs, the California Department of Health has resources to help you. If you are ready to treat your opioid use disorder, Choose Change California can connect you to a program.