Drug Identification | City Of Boise

Pharmaceuticals

Abuse of prescription drugs is a growing problem among young people in the Boise area and nationwide; these drugs are very dangerous. Usually, young people may steal the drugs from parents or others or forge prescriptions. The drugs may be taken orally, or crushed and injected or snorted to get high. Common drugs that Boise Police find abused in our area include: Ritalin, Dexedrine, OxyContin, Darvon, Vicodin and Valium.

You want to look for a single pill or groups of pills mixed together in unmarked bottles or baggies, not professionally packaged.

Paraphernalia

• dirty spoons and needles
• dirty cotton swabs (used to clean the spoon)
• dirty cotton balls (used as filters for shooting up)
• mini torches with butane fuel (used to heat up the spoon)
• snort tubes piece of cut straw, hollow tube of a pen, may have residue inside.
• Storage: Empty pill bottles or small containers.

Parent Resources

Drug Bibles books that contain photos or pills, available at libraries or local books stores. For more information or help, please contact the Poison Control Center: 1-800-222-1222.

Fentanyl

Fentanyl and fentanyl related compounds such as carfentanil and acetyl fentanyl are synthetic opioids. Drugs in this group have varying but often very high levels of potency. In recent years they have become more widely available in the United States and grown as a threat to public safety. It only takes a very small amount of fentanyl or its derivatives- which can be inhaled or absorbed through the skin or mucus membranes (such as being inhaled through the nose or mouth)- to result in severe adverse reactions. As a consequence, not only are users exposed to danger, but so are others who encounter them including the general public, first responders and law enforcement. Fentanyl has become much more common in Boise in the past year.  We have seen a significant increase in powdered fentanyl and in the number of pressed pills.

Drug Overdose Signs and Symptoms

The misuse of opioids, including prescription drugs and heroin, is one of the most serious public health problems in the United States.

If someone is experiencing even a few of these drug overdose symptoms, call 911 immediately

• Sleepiness or unresponsive
• Breathing slowly or not at all
• Slow heartbeat or low blood pressure
• Cold, clammy skin
• Small, pinpoint pupils
• Blue nails and lips
• Choking, gurgling or snoring sounds

Idaho's Good Samaritan Law

This law provides protections to people acting in good faith who seek medical assistance for either themselves or someone else because of a drug-related medical emergency. Under the law, that person shall not be charged with possession, possession of drug paraphernalia, or use of a controlled substance (Idaho Law 37-2739C).

Narcan

Narcan is a medicine that can reverse an opioid overdose. In Idaho, anyone with a valid reason can ask for a prescription for Narcan from a physician, physician's assistant, nurse practitioner or pharmacist. Narcan does not need to be intended for your own use (Idaho Law 54-1733B).