Arizona Poison Centers Warn of High Levels of Fentanyl Found in Illicit Cocaine

The Arizona poison system, part of the Center for Toxicology & Pharmacology Education and Research (CTPER) at the University of Arizona College of Medicine Phoenix, and Arizona Public Health and Safety Agencies are warning all Arizona healthcare providers about the risks of illicit drugs, specifically cocaine, being contaminated with high concentrations of fentanyl.

There has been a cluster of recent cases, including one known fatality, regarding exposure to this illicit substance.

“Fentanyl is assumed to be in almost all illicit drugs in the community,” said Maureen Roland, RN, director of the Banner Poison and Drug Information Center. “However, we are now starting to see higher concentrations of fentanyl, requiring aggressive measures such as multiple doses of naloxone or naloxone infusions, to treat and save these patients.”


“While fentanyl contamination in other drugs isn’t new, anytime a new cluster of overdoses occur, we need to make sure our communities are aware and on heightened alert,” said Steve Dudley, PharmD, DABAT, Director of the Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center. “We want to make sure unsuspecting individuals are aware as they are not expecting nor prepared to be exposed to fentanyl.”