Fentanyl Safety Tips

Hawaiʻi Police Department is committed to fighting drugs on island and apprehending those that distribute and sell illegal narcotics. Hawaiʻi Island police want the public to be aware of the dangers of illicit fentanyl, which has been recovered by police during drug arrests across the island.

One of the factors making illicit fentanyl so dangerous is that it is 50 times more deadly than heroin. Just a tiny amount of fentanyl (as shown in photo), as little as two milligrams (about one grain of Hawaiian salt) can be fatal in a non-opioid-tolerant person.

What Parents and Caregivers Need to Know About Illicit Fentanyl and Fake Pills

• Encourage open and honest communication with your kids.
• Explain what fentanyl is and why it is so dangerous.
• Stress not to take any pills that were not prescribed to you from a doctor.
• No pill purchased on social media is safe.
• Make sure they know fentanyl has been found in most illegal drugs.
• Create an “exit plan” to help your child know what to do if they are pressured to take a pill or use drugs.

Recognize Fentanyl Poisoning

 An individual experiencing fentanyl poisoning may exhibit one or more of the following:

• Drowsiness or unresponsiveness
• Constricted or pinpoint pupils
• Slow or no breathing

If these signs are observed, call 911 and provide a description of the circumstances. Follow directions from the dispatcher until emergency medical services arrive.

Resources

Fentanyl Arrests and Recovery Stats

As part of its continuing community outreach about the dangers of fentanyl, Hawaiʻi Police Department provides monthly updates on the amount of fentanyl related arrests (possession/distribution) in Hawaiʻi County and the quantity of fentanyl recovered for the preceding month.

• Fentanyl Arrests and Recovery Stats for September 2024October 8, 2024
  Island-wide during the month of September 2024, there was one fentanyl related arrest. Police recovered a total of 43.66 grams of illicit fentanyl last month; 5,018 fentanyl pills were recovered during that time.
• Fentanyl Arrests and Recovery Stats for August 2024September 12, 2024
  Island-wide during the month of August 2024, there was a total of five fentanyl related arrests. Police recovered a total of 1.2 grams of illicit fentanyl last month; 1 fentanyl pill was recovered during that time.
• Fentanyl Arrests and Recovery Stats for July 2024August 12, 2024
  Island-wide during the month of July 2024, there was a total of four fentanyl related arrests. Police recovered a total of 7.66 grams of illicit fentanyl last month; no fentanyl pills were recovered during that time.
• Fentanyl Arrests and Recovery Stats for June 2024July 8, 2024
  During the month of June 2024, there was a total of one fentanyl related arrest, one in Area I (east Hawaiʻi) and zero in Area II (west Hawaiʻi). Police recovered a total of 4.86 grams of illicit fentanyl last month, including 4.06 grams in Area I and 0.8 grams in Area II. No fentanyl pills were recovered in the month of June.
• Fentanyl Arrests and Recovery Stats for May 2024June 10, 2024
  During the month of May 2024, there was a total of 10 fentanyl related arrests, nine in Area I (east Hawaiʻi) and one in Area II (west Hawaiʻi). Police recovered a total of 31.25 grams of illicit fentanyl last month, including 21.65 grams in Area I and 9.6 grams in Area II.