Fentanyl-Laced Vapes On The Rise: What To Look Out For

As drug overdose deaths continue to be abnormally high due to fentanyl, schools and local authorities are warning parents about vaping devices laced with this opioid. Recently, a juvenile court judge issued a warning after a child nearly died from a fentanyl-laced vape and could now be facing permanent organ damage. Law enforcement and school officials across the country are reporting more incidents of fentanyl showing up in e-cigarettes and THC vape cartridges.

Vaping among teens has declined, with 1.63 million (5.9%) middle and high school students reporting current e-cigarette use in 2024, down from 2.13 million (7.7%) in 2023. Even with these declining numbers, e-cigarettes remain the most commonly used tobacco product among U.S. youth, and among current vape users, 26.3% reported using e-cigarettes daily.

While nicotine poses health risks to developing brains, fentanyl-laced vapes present an even deadlier threat since fentanyl is up to 50 times more potent than heroin, and a small amount in a vape cartridge can cause overdose or death. The danger is particularly high for teens and those who may unknowingly inhale fentanyl through tampered vape products.

What Is Fentanyl?

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid and central nervous system depressant that’s 80 to 100 times stronger than morphine and about 50 times more potent than heroin.

Although it can be legally prescribed for pain, fentanyl is also illegally manufactured and sold on the street, where it is sometimes added to counterfeit pills, vapes, and other illicit drugs. The addition of fentanyl to vaping devices is dangerous. Even a small amount of fentanyl ingested orally, snorted, injected, or vaped carries a risk of fatal opioid overdose.

Where Is Fentanyl Being Found In Vapes?

The concern is greatest among high school students, millions of whom report current e-cigarette use, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). A Westchester County school in New York had to administer Narcan to a teen in January after the high school student used a THC vape laced with fentanyl.

Two teens in Bellevue, WA, required emergency services after what police expect was an encounter with a fentanyl-laced vape. Unfortunately, fentanyl-laced vapes are also appearing in middle schools across the country. In Lee County Georgia, a 12-year-old boy was recently hospitalized after smoking a THC vape that was laced with fentanyl. Another incident in Georgia left a 13-year-old boy unconscious after he was apparently forced to use a contaminated vape by other school children.

How Do You Know If Your Vape Is Laced With Fentanyl?

Any vaping device that is bought illegally, whether through a friend, a drug dealer, or online, carries a risk for containing ingredients beyond what is marketed to you. A person may vape a device believing the vaping liquid contains only cannabis, but it could easily also carry other drugs, like heroin or fentanyl, both of which are addictive opioids. Below are some symptoms of fentanyl exposure.

Symptoms of fentanyl exposure may include:

• slow or difficult breathing
• sedation
• disorientation
• dizziness
• slow pulse
• low blood pressure
• loss of consciousness

These symptoms can indicate a potential fentanyl overdose, which can be treated with Narcan (naloxone) if the medicine is given quickly enough. If someone you know shows signs of fentanyl overdose after vaping, call 911 immediately and administer Narcan if available, as fast action can save their life.

Other Risks Of Fentanyl Use

Smoking a vape that’s laced with fentanyl can be deadly for people without a tolerance to opioids, but the drug can also pose additional health risks. Like other prescription and illicit opioids, fentanyl can be addictive. Fentanyl addiction is a serious problem that has grown in recent years amid the ongoing opioid epidemic.

Opioid addiction has been associated with:

• increased risk for overdose
• gastro-intestinal problems
• respiratory issues
• sexual dysfunction
• opioid withdrawal

Opioid addiction can adversely affect every aspect of your life, from your health to your relationships with loved ones. Luckily, drug addiction is possible to overcome with the right help.

If you’re concerned about yourself or a loved one who is abusing drugs, contact your primary care provider or an addiction specialist to learn more about available treatment options for substance abuse.

Written by the Addiction Resource Editorial Staff