Fentanyl, one of the most potent synthetic opioids, is a major contributor to the opioid epidemic affecting numerous countries, especially the United States. While fentanyl is legally manufactured and prescribed for severe pain management, its illicit use has led to a significant rise in overdose deaths due to its extreme potency. This has spawned a variety of slang names that are commonly used in the streets to refer to fentanyl and its various formulations. Understanding these slang terms is crucial for law enforcement, healthcare providers, and educators to recognize references to the drug in conversation, texts, or social media.
Common Slang Names for Fentanyl
1. Apache: This nickname likens the drug to the fierceness of the Apache tribe, reflecting its powerful effects and potential danger.
2. China Girl: This term may refer to the origins of many illicit fentanyl shipments, which often come from China. It also evokes a sense of exoticism and potency.
3. China White: Similar to China Girl, China White is used to describe fentanyl in its pure powder form, which is a fine, white, crystalline powder, resembling heroin but much more potent.
4. Dance Fever: This name reflects the drug’s potency and its association with party scenes, despite its dangerous effects.
5. Friend: Often used in a deceptive manner, this term can make the drug sound less harmful than it actually is.
6. Goodfellas: This name references the popular film about gangsters, hinting at the drug’s illegal status and its association with organized crime.
7. Jackpot: The term implies a “big win” or “high reward,” which can be misleading given the high risk of overdose associated with fentanyl use.
8. Murder 8: Directly referencing its potentially lethal consequences, this slang term underscores the danger associated with fentanyl use.
9. Tango and Cash: This name, derived from a movie title, is often used for a fentanyl and heroin mix, highlighting the combination’s increased risk of overdose.
10. Poison: Sometimes, users knowingly refer to fentanyl as poison, acknowledging its dangerous effects.
11. Lollipop: Refers to Actiq, a prescription fentanyl product that comes in a lollipop form for breakthrough cancer pain but can be abused for its potent effects.
12. Sublimaze: This is the brand name for fentanyl when used in medical settings, particularly for anesthesia, but it can be used in slang when referring to illicit use.
The Role of Slang in Fentanyl Use
Slang names for fentanyl often serve several purposes: they provide users and dealers a covert way to discuss the drug, they can make the drug sound less dangerous or more appealing, and they reflect user and cultural experiences with the drug. Law enforcement and public health officials monitor the evolution of such slang to keep abreast of trends in drug use and distribution, which can aid in prevention and intervention efforts.
The Dangers of Fentanyl
Regardless of the name it’s given, fentanyl remains extremely dangerous. It is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine, and even a small dose can be fatal. The illegal versions of fentanyl, often mixed with or sold as heroin, have led to a significant increase in overdose deaths. Users often do not know that what they are taking contains fentanyl, making accidental overdoses common.
Source
- Drug Enforcement Agency – Fentanyl Flow to the United States
- Fentanyl: MedlinePlus Drug Information
- Drug Enforcement Agency – Fentanyl
