Fentanyl

Fentanyl

Fentanyl is a strong synthetic opioid that relieves pain. Legal, pharmaceutical fentanyl is prescribed by doctors to treat severe pain, especially after surgery and for advanced-stage cancer. Legally made fentanyl can be diverted through theft, fraudulent prescriptions, and illicit distribution. Fentanyl is also illegally manufactured. Illicitly manufactured fentanyl (IMF) is distributed in powder or tablet (pill) form through illegal drug markets. IMF is often added to other drugs, because of its extreme potency. This makes drugs cheaper, more potent, more addictive, and more dangerous.

On October 11, 2024 the Oregon Health Authority and the Overdose Response Strategy sent out an alert to local public health officials and healthcare providers about re-emerging novel substances in the drug supply linked to increased fatal and non-fatal overdoses in Oregon and Southeast Washington.

This page focuses on illicitly manufactured fentanyl. If you have questions about a fentanyl prescription that you received from a healthcare provider, talk to your pharmacist, primary care provider or visit the OHA Prescription Opioids webpage for more information.

The Oregon Health Authority presents this information with the acknowledgement that this data represents individuals whose loss of life has had an enormous impact on their families and communities.