What You Need to Know
Carfentanil is a synthetic opioid originally developed as a tranquilizer for large animals, like elephants. It is not approved for human use under any circumstances.
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Extreme Potency: Carfentanil is estimated to be 100 times stronger than fentanyl and 10,000 times more potent than morphine.
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Microscopic Lethal Dose: A lethal dose of Carfentanil is just 0.02 milligrams. This is less than the amount of fentanyl found on the tip of a pencil. A nearly invisible speck can be fatal.
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Deceptive Appearance: Nationally and locally, Carfentanil is being pressed into pill or tablet form designed to look like legitimate prescription painkillers. You cannot see, smell, or taste it.
“If Carfentanil continues to make its way to Fort Smith, we can expect to see an uptick in fatal overdoses. We will be doing all we can to prevent that and hold drug dealers accountable.” — Chief of Police Danny Baker
Overdose Treatment Challenges
Because Carfentanil acts rapidly on the central nervous system, it leaves very little time for life-saving interventions.
While Naloxone (Narcan) is the standard emergency antidote for opioid overdoses, normal doses may not be effective against Carfentanil. Reversing a Carfentanil overdose requires multiple, high doses of Naloxone, and emergency medical intervention is absolutely critical.
How to Protect Yourself and Your Family
- Never Take Unprescribed Medication: Only take pills that have been directly prescribed to you by a doctor and dispensed by a licensed pharmacist. Illicit street pills are unregulated, untrustworthy, and potentially lethal.
- Know the Signs: Symptoms of exposure occur within minutes and include severe drowsiness, disorientation, respiratory depression (slowed or stopped breathing), pinpoint pupils, and clammy skin.
- Act Fast: If you suspect someone has been exposed to Carfentanil or is experiencing an overdose, call 911 immediately and administer Naloxone if it is available. Do not wait for first responders to arrive.
The Fort Smith Police Department is actively investigating these cases, monitoring lab submissions, and seeking arrest warrants for those distributing this deadly substance into our city. Please share this information with your loved ones. One pill can kill.
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