Misinformation about fentanyl exposure threatens to undermine overdose response

Misinformation about fentanyl exposure threatens to undermine overdose response Douglas Sacha/Getty Images/Moment RF Fentanyl, the deadly synthetic opioid driving the nation's high drug overdose rates, is also caught up in another serious problem: misinformation. False and misleading narratives on social media, in news reports and even in popular television dramas suggesting people can overdose from touching fentanyl — rather than ingesting it — are now informing public policy and spending decisions. Some state and local governments, for instance, are investing money from their share of the billions in opioid settlement funds in efforts to protect first responders from purported risks described in fentanyl misinformation.

In 2022 and 2023, 19 cities, towns, and counties across eight states used settlement funds to purchase drug detection devices for law enforcement agencies, spending just over $1 million altogether. Two mass spectrometers were purchased for at least $136,000 for the Greeley, Colorado, police department, "to protect those who are tasked with handling those substances." Sponsor Message But there is also almost no evidence that law enforcement personnel are at heightened risk of accidental overdoses due to such exposures.



Although fentanyl-related deaths have drastically risen over the past decade, no evidence suggests any of these deaths have resulted from incidentally touching or inhaling it, and little to no evidence that any resulted from consuming it in marijuana products. Recent data indicates that fentanyl-related deaths have begun to drop. Still, there is a steady stream of reports — which generally turn out to be false — of officers allegedly becoming ill after handling fentanyl.

But experts say it's unlikely those episodes were caused by the fentanyl itself — more likely, officers' fear and anxiety resulted in panic attacks or similar symptoms. Fentanyl is..

. Henry Larweh.