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DICKINSON — The Dickinson Police Department issued a public notice via social media on Thursday concerning an alarming seizure of a synthetic opioid. In a Facebook post Dickinson police noted that Mexican drug cartels have moved a colorful new variety of the lethal drug, fentanyl, into the Western Edge.
“‘Rainbow fentanyl’ has made its way to Dickinson. A recent seizure of the extremely dangerous drug was made by the Southwest Narcotics Task Force. The pills are stamped ‘M30’ and come in a variety of bright colors,” the post stated.
Dickinson Police Department also made a point to emphasize the drug’s high potency, which has prompted tragic overdoses across the country.
“Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more powerful than morphine. It remains the deadliest drug threat facing the country. In 2021 alone, 66% of the 107,622 overdose deaths were caused by fentanyl,” the post stated.
Further comments on the seizure were sought by The Press, but were not available by publication.
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Most of the illicit pills are being manufactured in China and trafficked across the loosely monitored U.S. — Mexico Border. India is also a major source of the drug, according to the Drug Enforcement Agency. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid pain medication that was first developed in 1960 and approved for use in America by the FDA in 1968.
According to an August press release, DEA Administrator Anne Milgram believes the new color scheme is a ploy to entice minors.
“Rainbow fentanyl — fentanyl pills and powder that come in a variety of bright colors, shapes, and sizes — is a deliberate effort by drug traffickers to drive addiction amongst kids and young adults,” Milgram stated.
The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) has a list of recommendations on how to mitigate the proliferation of the addiction crisis in America, noting the expanding distribution of naloxone, more commonly referred to by the brand name Narcan. The now synonymous drug has proven to be a life saving medication that can reverse the effects of an overdose, if administered in time. The CDC also recommends early intervention with drug users at the highest risk of overdose, boosting awareness about treatment programs and improving detection of overdose outbreaks to enable a more effective response.
Those seeking help for their addictions can find support groups, free of charge, by attending Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous. These meetings can be found all throughout North Dakota, and at a wide variety of times each week. To learn more, visit aanorthdakota.org or call 701-264-7552.
