Fentanyl can kill you. It is 40 to 50 times stronger than street-level heroin and can be found in just about any city in America. A very small amount ingested or absorbed trough the skin can be deadly. It is a real threat to American Law Enforcement. Fentanyl is responsible for an epidemic of overdose deaths within the United States.

Nationally, the number of fentanyl submissions and synthetic opioid deaths increased by 426% and 79%, respectively, during 2013–2014; among the 27 analyzed states, fentanyl submission increases were strongly correlated with increases in synthetic opioid deaths.

Fentanyl, the latest iteration of designer drug was created through legitimate research. Like so many other pharmaceuticals, Fentanyl was diverted for illicit use. But it did not stop there. Dirty chemists took it to the next level. Just like Bath Salts and Spice, Fentanyl is now continually evolving to circumvent the law. Just like Bath Salts and Spice, Fentanyl's unpredictable inconsistent make up creates dangers for first responders in terms of fatal exposure. Canine units are particularly at risk of immediate death from inhaling fentanyl. The onset of adverse health effects, such as disorientation, coughing, sedation, respiratory distress or cardiac arrest is very rapid and profound, usually occurring within minutes of exposure.

Topics Covered:

• Fentanyl history
• Identification (different forms)
• Signs and symptoms
• Safety issues
• Courtroom testimony
• Evolution of use