Rainbow Fentanyl: What Is It?

Rainbow fentanyl is a term that’s being used to describe an emerging form of fentanyl that is rainbow-colored and largely comes in the form of powdered fentanyl pressed into blocks.

Authorities in law enforcement warn that this colorful form of fentanyl — an opioid up to 100 times more potent than morphine — could be an attempt to target children and teens.

Addiction experts say this rainbow-colored drug is likely just illicitly manufactured fentanyl that’s been dyed with food coloring by drug dealers to distinguish their products.

Since initial seizures in 2022, rainbow-colored fentanyl has been documented across dozens of states. The DEA confirmed in 2023 that brightly colored fentanyl pills and powder had become widespread nationally, no longer limited to border regions.

Why Is Rainbow Fentanyl Dangerous?

Fentanyl is a powerful opioid. It can have strong effects. For those without fentanyl tolerance, taking even a small amount of this depressant can lead to fatal overdose.

Opioid overdose occurs when you take too much of one or more drugs at a time. But the lethal dose of fentanyl is relatively small, due to the drug’s strong potency.

There’s little known about the dangers of rainbow fentanyl specifically.

Is Rainbow Fentanyl Targeting Children?

Authorities are warning that so-called “rainbow fentanyl” poses an added risk for children, due to the fact that a child could accidentally mistake it for rainbow-colored candy or chalk.

However, Claire Zagorski, who works with the Pharmacy Addictions Research and Medicine Program at the University of Texas in Austin, told VICE News, “there’s no evidence that drug dealers are deliberately trying to lure children into using their fentanyl.”

Fentanyl is now the leading driver of overdose deaths among adolescents. Adolescent drug fatalities more than doubled between 2019 and 2023 (from 282 deaths to 708), with fentanyl accounting for 76% of those fatalities in 2023.

This increase has happened even as overall drug use among teens has declined, and it has been driven largely by the widespread availability of counterfeit pills containing illicit fentanyl. There are early signs of progress.

For instance, 2023 marked the smallest annual increase in fentanyl deaths among adolescents since the pandemic began. However, deaths remain more than twice the pre-pandemic baseline.

While the consensus among addiction researchers is that the coloring is more likely a dealer branding strategy than a deliberate attempt to target minors, the accidental ingestion risk for young children remains a legitimate concern.

What Is The Color Of Rainbow Fentanyl?

Law enforcement officials have seized batches of pink, green, yellow, and blue-colored fentanyl that have been described by authorities as rainbow fentanyl.

Drugs identified as “rainbow fentanyl” appear as powdery blocks with the consistency of sidewalk chalk. The drug may also come in the form of colorful fentanyl pills.

Where Has Rainbow Fentanyl Been Found?

Law enforcement officials in various parts of the country have reported confiscating what they describe as “rainbow fentanyl” or rainbow-colored fentanyl.

Michael Humphries, a US Customs and Border Protection director for the Port of Nogales, Arizona warned on social media, “This could be the start of a trend.”

Where rainbow-colored fentanyl has been identified:

• Portland, Oregon — by the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office
• Nogales Port of Entry in Arizona — by U.S. Customs and Border Protection
• Washington D.C. — by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) D.C. Division
• Roseville, California — the Placer County District Attorney’s office

What Happens If You Take Rainbow Fentanyl?

Fentanyl is extremely potent. Some people who have fentanyl dependence, or who are dependent on another type of opioid, may take fentanyl to stave off withdrawal symptoms.

But illicit forms of fentanyl, which are not regulated by federal authorities, can be dangerous, even if you have fentanyl dependence.

Harm Reduction For Fentanyl

Whether or not someone knows they are taking fentanyl, harm reduction tools can be the difference between life and death.

Naloxone (Narcan) reverses opioid overdose and has been available without a prescription at most major pharmacies nationwide since September 2023.

Fentanyl test strips can detect fentanyl in substances like cocaine, methamphetamine, and pressed pills. They are now legal in most states. However, they can’t tell you whether a dose of fentanyl itself is consistent or safe. A negative result does not guarantee safety.

Never use alone. In 67% of adolescent overdose deaths, a bystander was present who could have intervened. If you or someone you know uses drugs, having another person present or calling the Never Use Alone hotline (1-800-484-3731) provides a critical safety net.

Start with a very small amount. Illicitly manufactured fentanyl is not regulated, so its potency varies significantly.

Is Rainbow Fentanyl Addictive?

Opioids like fentanyl can be highly addictive. Fentanyl addiction is a risk factor for a whole host of health issues and quality of life concerns — but it is treatable.

Find Help For Fentanyl Misuse Today

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