Serenity Lane Warns Community of Fentanyl Lacing in New Article

Bend, Oregon – Serenity Lane, a non-profit organization that’s been helping Oregon citizens since 1973, recently published a new article bringing to light how fentanyl lacing has been impacting substance use. Specifically, they took a look at fentanyl-laced weed, what it is, the risks it poses, how the community can identify it, and how common it can be.

Marijuana, commonly known as weed, is a substance that has been tried at least once by over 50% of all adults in America. In Oregon, the recreational usage of weed has been legalized since 2015. Fentanyl, however, is a substance that has been on the rise, contributing to the opioid epidemic that is occurring across the country. It is a powerful, synthetic substance that is often discreetly laced into other substances, which can cause serious health concerns.

The article goes on to describe what fentanyl is. “Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is highly potent. It is cheap to produce while still providing a ‘high,’ so many dealers have been mixing it in with other substances in order to save costs without changing the outcome. The problem, however, lies in the potency. Because it is much stronger than most substances, when people unknowingly consume it, they take their normal dosage and overdose due to having more in their system than they realized.”

Many substances, such as cocaine and heroin, are becoming more commonly laced with fentanyl. This has led to an increased number of opioid overdoses and fatalities. Knowing that there’s a possibility of fentanyl-laced substances allows people to take precautions like buying fentanyl testing strips to ensure they don’t endanger themselves.

Luckily, this concern is fairly low for those who regularly consume weed. Because it’s legal in Oregon, the risk of purchasing any laced weed, fentanyl or not, is very low from trusted sources. If there are any doubts, individuals should not be afraid to get it tested. While there are very few cases of fentanyl being laced into weed, this doesn’t make it impossible.

The article gives fellow Oregonians an idea of what fentanyl-laced weed might look or smell like, so they know what to keep an eye out for. “... if marijuana smells odd, normally people claim strong scents such as gas or nail polish when discussing fentanyl, then it might be contaminated. Sometimes people also notice white or blue flecks within their marijuana, which could also be a sign of fentanyl.”

Serenity Lane is taking steps to ensure people have access to educational information regarding substances like fentanyl and weed. Accessible articles can continue to give people additional knowledge so they can make informed decisions about their health.

Serenity Lane has been helping people overcome substance and alcohol use disorders since 1973. All of the programs they offer have been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). They have introduced many new programs in Oregon, such as residential step-down and outpatient programs that integrate residential and outpatient services. They also provide the only Addiction Counselor Training Program in Oregon. Some of their graduates are now offering their services through several treatment programs throughout the country.

People who would like to know more about the addiction treatment services available through Serenity Lane of Bend, Oregon can visit their website or contact them by telephone or email. Serenity Lane has live people ready to help place patients from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday.