Readers respond to last week’s Feedback Friday topic, which was:
Rainbow Fentanyl: Halloween Threat or Media Hype?
It comes as little surprise that in the weeks leading up to Halloween, there’s been an increasing number of news reports across the nation cautioning parents to be aware of “rainbow fentanyl” infiltrating their children’s satchels of Halloween candy. Media outlets have picked up the story, email chains have flooded inboxes, and parents everywhere are wondering…what’s the deal?
Well, it appears an August 30th press release by the Drug Enforcement Administration could have kicked off the scare. The situation as described, in part, by the DEA reads as follows:
“The Drug Enforcement Administration is advising the public of an alarming emerging trend of colorful fentanyl available across the United States. Since August 2022, DEA and our law enforcement partners seized brightly-colored fentanyl and fentanyl pills in 26 states. Dubbed ‘rainbow fentanyl’ in the media, this trend appears to be a new method used by drug cartels to sell highly addictive and potentially deadly fentanyl made to look like candy to children and young people.
“‘Rainbow fentanyl—fentanyl pills and powder that come in a variety of bright colors, shapes, and sizes—is a deliberate effort by drug traffickers to drive addiction amongst kids and young adults,’ said DEA Administrator Anne Milgram. ‘The men and women of the DEA are relentlessly working to stop the trafficking of rainbow fentanyl and defeat the Mexican drug cartels that are responsible for the vast majority of the fentanyl that is being trafficked in the United States.”
The press release, however, makes no connection between the pills and Halloween. So, should parents of young trick-or-treaters be worried this coming Monday night? Will highly-addictive, life-threatening pills make their way into bags of candy? Or is this another attention grab by the media—hyping a cautionary, government press release into a sensational story?
What do you think about rainbow fentanyl, Halloween, and the media’s role in this week’s news cycle?
Here’s what you said:
I wouldn't let my kids trick or treat. They could go to a school or church party.
Jean Radeackar, Annapolis
Too many people are still unaware of the wide poisoning by this drug, so awareness through any outlet is crucial. Related to Halloween, nothing has really changed since the things were bad in the 70's. Parents should be vigilant, paying attention to the "treats" received and how they are packaged. Awareness need not be considered scare tactics.
Cyd H, Severn
In my opinion, this is a case where the press should draw attention to the possibility of rainbow fentanyl showing up in trick or treat bags. Granted, the press does have the well-deserved reputation of unnecessary sensationalism, but in this case, I think it is the responsibility of the press to alert parents of the possible appearance of the drug in the trick or treat bag so they can remove it before their children consume it.
Rick Schimpf, Pasadena
I had a number of questions when I first read this press release. First, how is this candy making its way into the hands of children? What is the distribution mechanism? Are reputable candy companies purchasing supplies of this unknowingly? This aspect of the release makes no sense to me.
Second, what are people supposed to do with this information? The release offers no guidelines or action steps for parents. I would like to know who authorized its release. Messages like this sound like "scare tactics" rather than informational, actionable news. What is the point? Who does this benefit?
Donna Arbogast, Crofton
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