'Rainbow fentanyl' found in Georgia; Savannah doctor issues warning
Rainbow fentanyl often looks like candy or sidewalk chalk. The DEA says its made specifically to target children and young adults.
Rainbow fentanyl often looks like candy or sidewalk chalk. The DEA says its made specifically to target children and young adults.
Rainbow fentanyl often looks like candy or sidewalk chalk. The DEA says its made specifically to target children and young adults.
A dangerous and deadly drug disguised as candy or sidewalk chalk is now circulating in Georgia.
"Rainbow Fentanyl" was recently detected in the Atlanta area, according to the Cobb County Sheriff's Office. Some fear it may now reach other places in the state, like Savannah.
"One of the greatest concerns is exposure and unintentional exposure in children," said Dr. Jay Goldstein, Memorial Health's emergency room medical director.
In a news release, the Drug Enforcement Administration said rainbow fentanyl comes in pill, powder and block form.
DEA Administrator Anne Milgram said the pills are a "deliberate effort by drug traffickers to drive addiction amongst kids and young adults."
Goldstein said packaging on "a lot of drugs is becoming flavorful and desirable by kids and we're seeing a lot of unexpected overdoses."
The emergence of these pills comes as Georgia experiences an 800% increase in fentanyl-related overdose deaths in teens.
The DEA is now urging parents to put their kids on alert. Meanwhile, Goldstein is reminding parents never to bring drugs like this into their homes.
"If you are going to bring drugs into the house and you have children in the house, that to me is a huge no-no," Goldstein said. "You only get that one chance before your child is dead."
Goldstein said Memorial Health hasn't seen any cases of rainbow fentanyl overdoses.