Policy Text
Roll Call Training Bulletin
Produced by: Lieutenant Greg Galliano Kath erine Lester , Chief of Police
Prepared by: PSU Volume 107
Fentanyl Safety Updated
10-18-2023
Illicit drugs pose a significant threat to law enforcement personnel who may come in contact with them through
routine law enforcement or emergency activities. Fentanyl is particularly dangerous and has become well
known for causing an alarming increase in overdose incidents and overdose- related deaths. Law Enforcement
in the Sacramento region and around the United States have been encountering fentanyl at a rapidly
increasing rate. Fentanyl is involved in more deaths of Americans under 50 than any cause of death, including
heart disease, cancer, homicide, suicide, and other accidents.
Fentanyl :
Fentanyl is a member of the class /family of drugs known as narcotic analgesics. Fentanyl is a rapid- acting
synthetic opiate , typically used to alleviate pain. Fentanyl depresses the respiratory functions in the central
nervous system (CNS) and is estimated to be 50- 100 times more potent than morphine. Pharmaceutical
fentanyl is used for pain management in cancer patients and is delivered in patch form applied on the skin.
Other members of the fentanyl family, such as carfentanil, alfentanil, and remifentanil are more potent than
fentanyl, and because of their significant potency are very dangerous. Even small exposures to any of them
can be fatal.
Because of its powerful opioid properties and ready availability , fentanyl has also been diverted into the illegal
drug market, where it is used as an additive to “ to cut” heroin and other controlled substances. Fentanyl may
be added to heroin to increase its potency or to be disguised as highly potent heroin. Many users mistakenly
believe that they are purchasing heroin when in fact they are purchasing fentanyl. This often results in
overdose deaths as mentioned above .
Fentanyl may be ingested orally, inhaled through the nose or mouth, or absorbed through the skin or eyes.
Exposure to even a very small amount may lead to significant health- related complications, respiratory
depression, or death.
Effect on the Body :
Similar to other opioid analgesics, fentanyl produces effects such as relaxation, euphoria, pain relief, sedation,
confusion, drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, pupillary constriction, and respiratory depression.
Respiratory depression is the symptom that most commonly precedes unconsciousness and death, and
officers should be aware of themselves or their partners having difficulty breathing.
Narcan (Naloxone) :
Narcan interrupts the effects of opioid analgesics, including respiratory depression. If an officer or their partner
have a known expos ure and/or are experiencing symptoms, Narcan should be administered as soon as
possible. Narcan does not have any side effects so in the event that an overdose or exposure was not the
cause of the symptoms, and it’s another medical emergency instead, Narcan will not have adverse effects .
Once Narcan has been administered, it is important for the recipient to receive immediate medical attention.
Common Street Names used for Fentanyl :
Apace, China Girl, China Town, China White, Dance Fever, Goodfellas, Great Bear, He-M an, Poison, and
Tango & Cash.
Roll Call Training Bulletin
Produced by: Lieutenant Greg Galliano Katherine Lester , Chief of Police
Prepared by: PSU Volume 107
Preventing Emergency Responders’ Exposures to Illicit Drugs :
Emergency responders are likely to come into contact with a mixture of illicit drugs during routine job duties.
These mixtures of illicit drugs can include cocaine, methamphetamine, cannabinoids, cathinone, and opioids ,
and they can be found in many forms, such as powder, pill, liquid, etc. Exposure to any illicit drug can be
harmful. Although the components of illicit drug mixtures might not be known at the time, first responders
should use the following information to educate themselves about safe operating procedures, and proper use
of personal protective equipment (PPE) when responding to incidents that may involve illicit drugs.
Fentanyl exposure may occur through :
1. Breathing / inhalation.
2. Skin absorption through direct contact.
3. Absorption through indirect contact , such as eating.
4. Contact with mucous membranes such as eyes, nose, or mouth .
5. Touching or being injured with objects including but not limited to objects such as a needle.
WHAT SHOULD FIRST RESPONDERS DO WHEN FENTYNAL MIGHT BE PRESENT?
1. Conduct a risk assessment for the presence of fentanyl.
• Is a person unconscious and the cause unknown?
• Are suspected drugs or paraphernalia visible?
• What is the form and volume of suspected drugs?
2. During the assessment assume any white powder is fent anyl.
3. If the presence of fentanyl or any synthetic opioid is suspected employees should first address any immediate health concerns of any involved party.
4. If a person has been exposed to fentanyl, employees should secure the scene (including vehicles) where there may be presence of fentanyl.
5. Employees shall contact their supervisor immediately.
6. Supervisors shall notify the watch commander, and if appropriate, contact the on- call HIDTA SPD
personnel and advise of the situation.
7. If an employee has been exposed to fentanyl, resulting in symptoms, the watch commander will initiate a call out of Forensiclean to have the exposed areas decontaminated.
8. If necessary, HIDTA may respond