Do You Need To Worry About Fentanyl In Halloween Candy?

A recent advisory from the Drug Enforcement Administration is worrying many parents as Halloween draws closer. The worry, though, may be for nothing.

Here's What the DEA Is Saying Aout Colorful Fentanyl

The Drug Enforcement Administration is advising the public of an alarming emerging trend of colorful fentanyl available across the United States.

In August 2022, DEA and our law enforcement partners seized brightly-colored fentanyl and fentanyl pills in 18 states.

Dubbed “rainbow fentanyl” in the media, this trend appears to be a new method used by drug cartels to sell highly addictive and potentially deadly fentanyl made to look like candy to children and young people. (source)

Does the DEA Advisory Mean There Are Halloween Concerns?

Despite the fact that Halloween wasn't mentioned in the advisory, the connection was made via social media and this leads to very likely unnecessary worry and concern. In a Fox News Interview, DEA Administrator Anne Milgram said, "We have not seen any connection to Halloween."

A report this morning on National Public Radio went further and said the DEA is mistaken regarding targeting children with "Rainbow Fentanyl."

Drug policy experts contacted by NPR agree there's no new fentanyl threat this Halloween. Many are also skeptical of the DEA's original warning. They don't believe Mexican drug cartels and street dealers have launched any new campaign targeting children.

Dr. Sheila Vakharia, head of research for an addiction think-tank called the Drug Policy Alliance, said dealers use colors, stamps and other markers "to distinguish their product from other products on the street."

So What's This All Mean for Halloween Candy Safety?

The scare over "rainbow fentanyl" is, by the DEA's own words, not a thing. However, check over the candy your children get, it will give you peace of mind and it is never a bad idea to be cautious.

Two Food and Drug Administration recommendations when it comes to Halloween candy and kids...

• Snacking: Children shouldn’t snack on treats from their goody bags while they’re out trick-or-treating. Give them a light meal or snack before they head out – don’t send them out on an empty stomach. Urge them to wait until they get home and let you inspect their loot before they eat any of it.
• Safe treats: Tell children not to accept – and especially not to eat – anything that isn’t commercially wrapped. Inspect commercially wrapped treats for signs of tampering, such as an unusual appearance or discoloration, tiny pinholes, or tears in wrappers. Throw away anything that looks suspicious.

Fentanyl is no joke...its wildly dangerous.

Fentanyl remains the deadliest drug threat facing this country. According to the CDC, 107,622 Americans died of drug overdoses in 2021, with 66 percent of those deaths related to synthetic opioids like fentanyl. Drug poisonings are the leading killer of Americans between the ages of 18 and 45. (DEA)

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When it comes to Halloweens to remember, this one has 'em all beat.

As always, if you have a comment, complaint, or concern about something I wrote here, please let me know: james.rabe@townsquaremedia.com