Emoji Codes For Drugs

It’s estimated that billions of emojis are sent every day. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) wants the public to know that the emoji method of communication is also being used to reference illegal drugs. The DEA released the emoji drug code to help parents, educators, and other adults who interact with young people identify drug abuse, which isn’t always easy.

Drug traffickers also use drug emojis to buy and sell fake prescription pills online, including on social media, according to the DEA. These pills are frequently laced with the powerful synthetic opioid fentanyl, which can lead to fatal overdoses.

Popular Drug Emojis In Use

Given the popularity of emoji use, parents shouldn’t necessarily be alarmed if they see the following emojis from the DEA’s emoji drug code chart on their teen’s phone or social media.

However, drug emojis can be a good conversation starter about the dangers of drug use today. The DEA noted that the chart isn’t all-inclusive.

Some popular emojis drug dealers use include:

• 🤑,👑,💰,🔌= dealer advertising
• 🚀,💣,💥= high potency
• 🍪= large batch
• 🍁= all drugs

Some popular emojis for fake prescription pills include:

• 💊, A-🚆 = Adderall
• 💊,🔵,🍌 = Percocet and oxycodone (OxyContin)
• 💊,🍫,🚌 = Xanax

Some other popular drug emojis include:

• ❄️,💎,🎱,🔑,😛 = cocaine
• 🍇,💜,🍼= cough syrup
• 🤎,🐉 = heroin
• 💨,🔥,🌴,😯,🍀, 🍃= marijuana
• ❤️,⚡,❌,💊,🍬= MDMA/molly
• 🔮,💙,💎,🧪= meth
• 🍄= mushrooms

Fentanyl And The DEA’s “One Pill Can Kill” Campaign

The release of the emoji drug chart is the DEA’s latest effort in its “One Pill Can Kill” campaign. The DEA launched the campaign in 2021 in response to finding enough fentanyl to cause an overdose in four out of 10 fentanyl-laced fake prescription pills seized. In 2022, that number rose to six out of every 10 fentanyl-laced pills seized, representing a 50% increase in just one year.

Many young people falsely believe that prescription drugs are safer to obtain and use than illicit drugs.

Talking To Young People About The Risks Associated With Drug Use

Parents and caregivers should use knowledge of emoji drug codes as an opportunity to have open, honest conversations with young people about drug dangers. Discuss how social media and messaging apps make it easier for dealers to reach young people, and explain that emojis hide drug transactions from adults. Emphasize that buying drugs through social media or from friends is dangerous because there’s no way to know what’s in them, and fentanyl-laced pills look identical to legitimate medications.

Make sure young people understand that taking just one illegally purchased pill can be fatal due to fentanyl contamination. Encourage open communication without judgment, letting them know they can come to you with questions or concerns. Provide factual information about overdose risks, warning signs in friends, and what to do in emergencies, including calling 911 and using naloxone if available.

Fentanyl-Laced Drugs

Drug traffickers often add fentanyl to other drugs to intensify effects and increase profits. This is extremely dangerous because the amount added isn’t regulated, and an amount equivalent to a few grains of salt can cause a fatal overdose. Fentanyl has increasingly been found in cocaine, methamphetamine, counterfeit prescription pills, and heroin, meaning people may unknowingly consume fentanyl when using other substances.

Drug overdose deaths in the United States have reached crisis levels, with over 107,000 Americans dying from overdoses in 2023 according to preliminary CDC data. Synthetic opioids, primarily illicitly manufactured fentanyl, are now involved in the vast majority of overdose deaths nationwide. The widespread contamination of the drug supply with fentanyl has made any illicit drug use potentially life-threatening. Fentanyl test strips can detect the presence of fentanyl before use as a harm reduction tool.

Drug Addiction

Anyone who uses drugs is also at risk of developing a drug addiction, a chronic mental health condition that affects every area of a person’s life. Tolerance can also develop with the use of some drugs. This means that more of the drug is required to obtain the same initial results. Tolerance can lead to overdose when people end up taking a lethal dose of the drug, which typically isn’t the same amount for everyone.

Physical Dependence

Different drugs will affect different people in different ways. Some create physical dependence, which means withdrawal symptoms will be experienced if the person stops using the drug. This can make it difficult to stop using these drugs, as withdrawal symptoms can be severe and even fatal at times.

Signs Of Drug Use In Teenagers

It’s especially important for parents to have a conversation with their teenager about drugs if they notice any signs of drug use or abuse.

Signs of drug use in teenagers may include:

• dramatic changes in mood or behavior
• a new friend group
• spending a lot of time alone or with new friends
• weight loss or gain or other changes in appearance
• reduced interest in hobbies and other activities they enjoy
• feeling unable to stop or control drug use

Treatment For Drug Addiction

Inpatient and outpatient addiction treatment programs can help people recover from drug abuse. Medical detox, cognitive behavioral therapy, family therapy, and other forms of evidence-based treatment can help people get on and stay on the path to recovery. Browse our directory or reach out to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) for more information about addiction recovery.

Written by the Addiction Resource Editorial Staff