VP candidate stokes misleading claims about fentanyl-laced marijuana
A New York representative shares concerns about carfentanil, and the DEA warns about xylazine.
A New York representative shares concerns about carfentanil, and the DEA warns about xylazine.
This past week, social media posts about opioids fueled ongoing misleading claims about the prevalence of fentanyl-laced marijuana and prompted questions about the effectiveness of naloxone against overdoses caused by carfentanil (an extremely potent opioid) and xylazine (a non-opioid sedative).
In light of these conversations, public health communicators may want to debunk misleading claims about fentanyl-laced marijuana and recirculate information outlining the signs of an opioid overdose and explaining when and how to use naloxone.
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What’s trending nationally in conversations about opioids
Last week during a Wisconsin campaign event, vice presidential candidate JD Vance claimed he’d spoken to a police officer who alleged that “we’ve got fentanyl in our marijuana bags that our teenagers are using.” A cannabis advocacy publication debunked Vance’s statement, and multiple X posts shared the article. One X post from a doctor read, “So not only is JD spreading another well-debunked lie here - ‘fentanyl-laced’ marijuana is not a thing that’s happening - but he opposes legalizing marijuana, which is the only way to regulate it for safety and ensure it doesn’t have contaminants like the illicit drug market.” That post received approximately 91,500 views, 5,500 likes, 800 reposts, and 50 comments as of August 21. In the comments, the X user shared a previous thread in which he explained that the existence of fentanyl-laced cannabis is “scientifically improbable.”
On August 12, a New York representative sent a letter to the CDC questioning how the agency will respond to the presence of carfentanil, an opioid more potent than fentanyl, in the Bronx. On August 15, the representative shared his concerns on X and Instagram. In the comments on these posts, many social media users echoed his concerns. While naloxone can reverse a carfentanil overdose, some comments questioned its efficacy against the drug. Others blamed immigrants, without evidence, for bringing carfentanil into the U.S.
On August 14, the Drug Enforcement Administration shared a post on X warning that xylazine increases the risk of overdose and stating that naloxone “cannot reverse its effects.” The post, which received far less engagement than other recent posts about overdoses, did not explain that naloxone should still be administered any time an overdose is suspected.
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Recommendations for public health professionals
Each week, the Infodemiology.com team will provide messaging recommendations in response to some of the trending narratives outlined above. These helpful tips can be used when creating content, updating web and FAQ pages, and developing strategy for messaging about mental health.
In response to social media posts discussing fentanyl-laced marijuana, public health communicators may explain that many reports of alleged fentanyl-laced marijuana have been determined to be false and that there is minimal risk of encountering it. Messaging may emphasize that purchasing marijuana from a licensed dispensary is the best way to ensure that it is not contaminated with other substances.
Posts about carfentanil and xylazine overdoses may cause confusion about when and how to use naloxone. Messaging may explain that while naloxone is only effective against opioids such as fentanyl and carfentanil, it should be administered any time an overdose is suspected, as opioids are often unknowingly mixed with other substances. Explaining that naloxone will not harm a person who has not overdosed or who has overdosed on a non-opioid substance and that multiple doses may be required is recommended. Communicators can also recirculate information outlining why people should carry naloxone, how to use it, and where to access it, particularly on International Overdose Awareness Day on August 31. Messaging may emphasize that most states have Good Samaritan laws that protect people who are overdosing and those assisting them from certain legal penalties.