Rainbow Fentanyl Not Yet Seen in Yakima Says Coroner

Fentanyl. It’s a deadly drug that’s killing thousands of people throughout the country and here in Yakima. Now the concern is over what’s being called rainbow fentanyl. The drug is now being manufactured to look like colorful candy or sidewalk chalk. It’s turning up everywhere.

The rainbow fentanyl has been found in the PNW this year

The most recent seizure happened in Portland Oregon. Yakima County Coroner Jim Curtice says so far he hasn’t seen the rainbow colored fentanyl in any investigations of overdose deaths so far this year but he says if it’s in Oregon there’s a good possibility it’s here in Yakima or will be in the near future.

Coroner Jim Curtice doesn’t think dealers are trying to attract kids

So far 49 people have died of drug overdoses in Yakima County with 70% of the deaths from the deadly drug fentanyl. Curtice believes the production of rainbow fentanly isn’t a way to attract kids to the drug but rather as a way to lesson the fear of death that surrounds the drug. He says with so much talk and media reports about overdose deaths caused by fentanyl drug manufacturers are looking for a way to make the drug look less dangerous and more attractive for users. Curtice says he’d hate to think drug dealers are trying to attract kids. Authorities however says that’s what could happen and that’s why there’s a major concern.

Police are hoping kids don’t mistake the drug for candy or chalk

Authorities are concerned kids who see the rainbow fentanyl will think it’s candy or sidewalk chalk. They say even touching fentanyl can be deadly so there’s a nationwide alert out to watch for the rainbow fentanyl.
While Curtice hasn’t seen it yet in Yakima it’s likely coming or it’s already here.