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 100 times more potent than morphine, and a small amount in a vape cartridge can cause overdose or death. The danger is particularly great 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. 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). Incidents have been reported across the country, including cases in New York, Washington State, and Georgia, where students required emergency treatment after exposure to fentanyl-laced vape products.

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.

Social Media And Fentanyl-Laced Products

One of the most significant and underreported vectors for teen exposure to fentanyl-laced products is social media.

Drug dealers increasingly use platforms like Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok to connect directly with minors. They advertise counterfeit pills and other substances with seemingly innocent emojis and coded language designed to evade platform filters.

The National Crime Prevention Council estimates that 80% of teen and young adult fentanyl poisoning deaths can be traced to some form of social media contact.

Parents should be aware that a teen doesn’t need to seek out a drug dealer on the street. Where once a teen may have had to navigate a street dealer or the dark web, young people can now locate drug dealers using their smartphones with relative ease.

Talk to your children about the risks of purchasing anything from strangers online, including products marketed as cannabis vapes or prescription medications.

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 a fentanyl overdose after vaping, call 911 immediately and administer Narcan if available, as fast action can save their life. As a note, naloxone is available without a prescription at most major pharmacies nationwide.

Additionally, be sure to have fentanyl test strips on hand. They’re legal in most states and can detect the presence of fentanyl in a substance before use. While not foolproof, they are a low-cost harm reduction tool that can flag contaminated products.

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
• gastrointestinal problems
• respiratory issues
• sexual dysfunction
• opioid withdrawal

Find Treatment For Opioid Use Disorder Today

Opioid use disorder 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 misusing drugs, contact your primary care provider or an addiction specialist to learn more about available treatment options for substance use disorder.

Written by the Addiction Resource Editorial Staff