Community warning regarding "rainbow fentanyl"
Posted on 08/01/2022

Community Warning from Piedmont Police regarding "rainbow fentanyl"

Published September 29, 2022


The California Public Health Department has issued a warning regarding an alarming trend, “rainbow fentanyl.”

This dangerous drug is now being seen in the form of brightly colored pills and powders that could be mistaken for candy and may attract young people. Fentanyl is highly addictive and can be deadly in small amounts. We encourage everyone to have conversations with their children, especially teens, regarding the extreme dangers of overdose with this drug.

Anyone who encounters fentanyl in any form should not handle it and should call 911 immediately.

Health officials advise learning how to recognize the signs of opioid overdose. Look for:

  • Small, constricted "pinpoint pupils"
  • Falling asleep or losing consciousness
  • Slow, weak, or no breathing
    Choking or gurgling sounds
  • Limp body
  • Cold and/or clammy skin
  • Discolored skin (especially in lips and nails)

It may be hard to tell if a person is experiencing an overdose. If you aren’t sure, treat it like an overdose and call 911 immediately.

For more information, see facts about fentanyl from the CDC.

In addition to the Piedmont Fire Department’s ability to respond, all Piedmont Police Officers carry Naloxone, a life-saving medication used to reverse an opioid overdose.