Should California parents be worried about fentanyl in Halloween candy? What officials say
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Fentanyl Crisis in Stanislaus County
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As Halloween approaches, a concern arises amid the festivities: the fentanyl crisis and its potential consequences on the safety of children’s candy.
Fentanyl has been found disguised as “rainbow candy.” Should parents be concerned about it being hidden among Halloween treats?
Here’s why California public officials said it’s important for parents to familiarize themselves with their neighbors and the dangers of fentanyl when taking their children out to trick-or-treat:
What is the fentanyl crisis?
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is a major contributor to both fatal and nonfatal overdoses in California, according to the California Department of Public Health’s website.
It can be laced in other drugs including heroin, methamphetamine, counterfeit pills and cocaine, the website states.
According to the most recent information from CDPH, there were nearly 6,000 opioid-related overdose deaths in California 2021 and roughly 250 of them were minors.
In September 2022, the CDPH alerted the public that brightly-colored fentanyl, also known as “rainbow” fentanyl, was identified as a new trend by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration.
“Rainbow fentanyl — fentanyl pills and powder that come in a variety of bright colors, shapes, and sizes — is a deliberate effort by drug traffickers to drive addiction amongst kids and young adults,” said DEA Administrator Anne Milgram in a news release from the administration in October 2022.
Should parents be worried about fentanyl on Halloween?
Luke Schwartz, a spokesperson from the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department, said there are no specific concerns drawing the department’s attention to fentanyl contamination in Halloween candy.
Last year, National Public Radio reported that drug experts have not seen a connection between fentanyl and Halloween candy.
However, Sacramento County District Attorney Thien Ho said parents should be extra attentive to their children’s Halloween candy, because only a few grains worth of fentanyl can kill them.
“There are colorful fentanyl pills that look exactly like Smarties candies made to look very attractive to young people and kids, but they are highly addictive and deadly,” Ho said in a phone interview with The Bee.
With Halloween coming up, Ho said parents and guardians should protect their kids by talking to them about fentanyl’s danger.
“We recommend that parents be vigilant,” Ho said. “Inspect every candy closely, because all it takes is a few grains to kill.”
“You’re walking around asking strangers to give you something,” Ho said. “When you take that away from the context of Halloween, you need to be sorting what your kid is going to ingest.”
What precautions will law enforcement be taking on Halloween?
Schwartz, with the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department, said the agency urges the community to continue to follow the public safety announcements and advisements released by health departments.
“This drug can be so incredibly dangerous and toxic in such small doses,” Schwartz said in an email to The Bee. “Take the time to inspect what is collected before consumption.”
On Halloween, Schwartz said the department will have their usual patrol deputies, air support unit, K9’s and other needed specialty units as calls for service and circumstances demand.
“We recognize this is a popular time for families to be out with their children happily going from door-to-door finding all the good candy,” Schwartz wrote. “Our deputies will be extra aware of the increased level of pedestrian and vehicular traffic.”
As the use of fentanyl spikes in Stanislaus County, Schwartz said it is important for parents to be aware of the danger.
“Our communities are unfortunately plagued with the scourge of illegal, dangerous substances,” Schwartz said. “Go out, have fun, but be forever constantly mindful of those who seek to harm or take advantage of others.”
This story was originally published October 13, 2023 at 1:56 PM.
