HomeThe Briefing RoomOpiatesNarcan Resistant Fentanyl: What You Need To Know

Narcan Resistant Fentanyl: What You Need To Know

  • November 23, 2022
  • Posted by: Keith Graves
  • Category: Opiates
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narcan resistant fentanyl

First, know that fentanyl is not resistant to narcan. Narcan will always work on an opioid. With that out of the way, there are reports that people are overdosing after taking fentanyl and that they are not waking up after narcan administration. So what is going on? 

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Narcan

First, you should know how narcan works. Narcan is the brand name for naloxone, a medication that can reverse an overdose from opioids such as heroin, morphine, and fentanyl. It works by binding to opioid receptors and blocking the effects of the drug. Narcan is available as an injection or a nasal spray. To be clear, narcan only works on opioids. It does not work on other drugs like depressants, stimulants and hallucinogens. 

Boosters are Being Added to Fentanyl

You should also know that “boosters” are being added to fentanyl. A booster is another drug used to increase the effects of fentanyl. Why are dealers doing this? Because the fentanyl users are demanding it. There have been many boosters added to fentanyl in the past year, but Xylazine is becoming more and more prevalent and it is the xylazine that is causing more and more overdoses. 

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What is the Drug Xylazine?

The drug xylazine is a sedative that is used to calm animals. It is sometimes used as a pre-medication for anesthesia. Xylazine works by depressing the central nervous system, which slows down the animal’s heart rate and breathing. Xylazine is banned in the United States, but it is used in Mexico. 

Narcan Resistant Fentanyl

Most of the fentanyl you recover on the street has either Xylazine or some other CNS Depressant drug added to it. When you administer narcan to a person and they are not responding, one of two things are occurring. The person has ingested fentanyl that is so concentrated that more narcan is needed, or they are actually overdosing on the Xylazine that was added to the fentanyl. In most cases, they are overdosing on that boosting drug that was added to the fentanyl. 

It’s important to make sure that false information isn’t spread in our community. Make sure you Inform co-workers and the public about the dangers of fentanyl, especially the drugs being added to fentanyl to boost its potency. 

Just yesterday, the DEA announced that 6 out of 10 fentanyl pills are a lethal dose. Just a few months ago it was 4 out of 10. Our problem is only getting worse and there is no relief in sight. Be safe out there. 



Author: Keith Graves
Keith is a retired Police Sergeant, working his entire 29 year career in the San Francisco Bay Area. Keith is a recipient of the prestigious California’s Narcotics Officer of the Year Award and is a prior winner of MADD’s California Hero Award. He has years of experience as a Narcotics Detective and a Narcotics Unit Supervisor and is a Drug Recognition Expert Instructor (IACP #3292). Keith has developed several courses for the Department of Defense, California Narcotics Officers Association, and California POST, and numerous police agencies and private corporations. Keith has held other assignments besides narcotics including Training Sergeant, Patrol Sergeant, COPPS Officer, Traffic Officer, and 20 years as a SWAT Team member and Sniper Team Leader. Keith has taught thousands of officers and businesses around the world about drug use, drug trends, compliance training and drug investigations. Keith is also the founder of Christian Warrior Training, where he provides free resources and training to church security ministries. He is recognized as an international drug expert and has testified as an expert in court proceedings on drug cases, homicide cases and rape prosecutions. Keith earned a BA in Business Management from Saint Mary’s College of California and a MA in Criminal Justice. Keith is the Founder and President of Graves & Associates, a company dedicated to providing drug training to law enforcement, the Department of Defense, and private industry internationally. You can follow Keith on social media on Facebook (DopeCop and DrugEnforcementCops), twitter (DopeCop) and Instagram (DrugEnforcementCops).

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