While executing a recent search warrant, Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Unit (SIU) deputies found a new form of fentanyl that is considered to be more dangerous and potent than pressed pills.
At a suspect’s residence in Northeast Portland, deputies found body armor, $5,000 in cash, nine guns, some of which were modified and stolen, and drugs including meth, heroin, 800 pills of fentanyl, and four grams of multi-colored, powdered fentanyl, often referred to as ‘rainbow fentanyl.’
(Multnomah County Sheriff’s deputies seized rainbow-colored powdered fentanyl in NE Portland last week. Courtesy of The Oregonian and YouTube. Posted on Aug 16, 2022.)
Deputies are particularly concerned about rainbow fentanyl getting into the hands of young adults or children, who can mistake the drug for something else, such as candy or a toy, or those who may be willing to try the drug due to its playful coloring.
The powdered fentanyl found during this investigation resembles the color and consistency of sidewalk chalk.
Whether the colors are being used to indicate batches, indicate where the drug originated from, or who the drug producer was (branding), the danger of it being confused for candy is intensified.
Because whether a person, teen, or child intends to ingest it – or accidentally comes in contact with it, it could result in a fatal overdose.
And teen overdoses are on the rise in the United States.
A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in May found that teen overdose rates doubled from 492 to 954 deaths, from 2019 to 2020, and went up another 20 percent in the first half of 2021.
Study author Joseph Friedman, an addictions researcher at the University of California, Los Angeles, said fentanyl was behind the rise in deaths, at the time.
For decades, teens were insulated from rising overdose deaths seen among adults.
Now that is changing.
Our @JAMA_current study shows that teen overdoses began spiking in 2020-21 due to illicit fentanyls in counterfeit pills. https://t.co/OB9EsEkqcs
🧵w/ twitter-only 📊1/ pic.twitter.com/FeJMIKDdNw
— Joseph Friedman, PhD, MPH (@JosephRFriedman) April 12, 2022
He called for more pragmatic teen education around drugs and access to naloxone and fentanyl testing strips as possible solutions.
The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office expressed gratitude to the Portland Police Bureau’s North and East Neighborhood Response Teams (NRT) for their assistance in this investigation.
“We are partnering with Multnomah County health departments to sound the alarm,” said SIU Sergeant Matt Ferguson.
“The public needs to be aware of the rising use of powdered fentanyl. We believe this is going to be the new trend seen on the streets of Portland.”
(Learn More. A five-day long, joint public safety mission resulted in two dozen arrests of wanted fugitives and significant weapons and drug seizures in the Portland metro area. Courtesy of Southern Oregon Scanner LLC and YouTube. Posted on Jun 16, 2022.)
Rainbow fentanyl warning
It only takes 2 milligrams of fentanyl — about the weight of a few grains of salt — to cause a fatal overdose. Health officials last year began sounding the alarm after cheap, counterfeit opioid pills containing fentanyl began fueling an increase in fatal drug overdoses across the Portland Metro region.
According to the Oregon-Idaho HIDTA 2023 Threat Assessment, non-medical grade fentanyl has overtaken heroin and methamphetamine as the number one threat in our region. And because it is not medical-grade, it is difficult to determine potency and accurate dosing.
The rising use of powdered fentanyl and the brightly colored variations is cause for concern.
(DEA agents are reporting finding rainbow-colored fentanyl pills in the D.C. region, amid more of the pills being seized around the country. FOX 5 Washington DC and YouTube. Posted on Aug 20, 2022.)
Fentanyl in powder form generally has a higher potency than other forms of fentanyl. The colorful fentanyl powders are new to most law enforcement agencies.
Providers in recovery treatment also report being unfamiliar with the new form of fentanyl.
“It’s not uncommon for drug forms to shift over time,” explained Julie Dodge, interim director of Behavioral Health for Multnomah County.
“That’s why the main message always has to be, we take a risk any time we take a substance that we don’t know who made it, and when there’s no quality control.”
Service providers in harm reduction said they have begun to see colored powder fentanyl circulating locally.
“We are seeing more powdered fentanyl that is dyed in various colors,” added Harm Reduction Supervisor Kelsi Junge.
“The strength can vary but is typically stronger than pressed pills.”
“Anyone that intends to use powdered fentanyl should follow principles of harm reduction by going slow, not using when you are alone, and ensuring that someone has narcan.”
Prevention & Intervention
People who choose to use drugs outside of a care plan developed with a healthcare provider should take steps to reduce the risk of overdose.
Don’t use alone, in case you or someone you’re with starts to overdose.
Signs of overdose include:
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Pale or clammy skin
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Bluish or pale lips and fingernails
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Limp body
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Slow or no breathing
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Vomiting or foaming at the mouth
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Difficult to or not able to awaken
(If kids are at a party or in a situation where Narcan is needed and not available, calling 9-1-1 immediately is your best bet. Courtesy of KOAA 5 and YouTube. Posted on Mar 29, 2022.)
Naloxone, a medication that counteracts the effects of opioids, can reverse an overdose.
Anyone who uses illicit drugs can get free fentanyl test strips and naloxone kits through Multnomah County Harm Reduction.
Learn more at multco.us/harmreduction. A person can test a pill with a fentanyl strip before consuming it.
Learn More…
DEA Recognized in 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program for Excellence
American Security Today’s Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards is the preeminent U.S. Homeland Security Awards Program, and now in its Seventh Year, continues to recognize industry leaders of Physical and Border Security, Cybersecurity, Emergency Preparedness – Management and Response, Law Enforcement, First Responders, as well as federal, state and municipal government agencies in the acknowledgment of their outstanding efforts to Keep our Nation Secure.
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
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Excellence in Homeland Security
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The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day Initiative
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The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day hosted by the DEA and its national, tribal and community partners aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications.
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In response to the dramatic increase in America’s teens use of vaping devices, the DEA for the first time on Saturday, October 26, 2019 began accept vaping devices and cartridges at all of its drop-off locations across the nation.
(Hear directly from then Acting DEA Administrator Uttam Dhillon. According to the CDC, almost 400,000 Americans died from prescription and illicit opioid overdoses between 1999 and 2017. In 2017, more than 2.1 million Americans were addicted to opioids. Courtesy of CBS This Morning and YouTube. Posted on Oct 22, 2019.)
American Security Today’s Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards is the preeminent U.S. Homeland Security Awards Program, and now entering it’s Seventh Year, continues to recognize industry leaders of Physical and Border Security, Cybersecurity, Emergency Preparedness – Management and Response, Law Enforcement, First Responders, as well as federal, state and municipal government agencies in the acknowledgment of their outstanding efforts to Keep our Nation Secure.
The Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards highlight the most cutting-edge and forward-thinking security solutions coming onto the market today, to ensure our readers have the information they need to stay ahead of the competition and keep our Nation safe – one facility, street, and city at a time.
AST Honors Thomas Richardson, FDNY Chief of Department; Dr. Kathleen Kiernan, President of NEC National Security Systems; and Richard Blatus, FDNY Assistant Chief of Operations, at the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Luncheon at ISC East.
The United States was forever changed 20 years ago on September 11th, and we were fortunate to have many of those who responded to those horrific tragedies join us at the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Luncheon.
In the days that followed 9/11, the critical needs of protecting our country catapulted us into new and innovative ways to secure our homeland – which is how many of the agencies and enterprise organizations that are today ‘ASTORS’ Awards Champions, came into being.
Our 2021 keynote speaker featured a moving and informative address from TSA Administrator and Vice-Admiral of the United States Coast Guard (Ret), David Pekoske; to our attendees who traveled from across the United States and abroad, on the strategic priorities of the 64,000 member TSA workforce in securing the transportation system, enabling safe, and in many cases, contactless travel.
Legendary Police Commissioner William Bratton of the New York Police Department, the Boston Police Department, and former Chief of the Los Angeles Police Department was also live at the event, meeting with attendees and signing copies of his latest work ‘The Profession: A Memoir of Community, Race, and the Arc of Policing in America,’ courtesy of the generosity of our 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Premier Sponsors.
The 2022 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program is Proudly Sponsored by New PLATINUM SPONSOR: NEC National Security Systems (NSS), New Premier Sponsors Rajant Corporation, and guardDog AI, and returning Sponsors ATI Systems, Automatic Systems, RX Global, and SIMS Software!
The continually evolving ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program will emphasize the trail of Accomplished Women in Leadership in 2022, as well as the Significance and Positive Impact of Advancing Diversity and Inclusion in our Next Generation of Government and Industry Leaders. #MentorshipMatters
So be on the lookout for exciting upcoming announcements of Speakers, Presenters, Book Signing Opportunities, and Attendees at the 2022 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Presentation Luncheon in November of 2022 in New York City!
Nominations are currently being accepted for the 2022 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards at https://americansecuritytoday.com/ast-awards/.
Comprehensive List of Categories Include:
| Access Control/ Identification | Personal/Protective Equipment | Law Enforcement Counter Terrorism |
| Perimeter Barrier/ Deterrent System | Interagency Interdiction Operation | Cloud Computing/Storage Solution |
| Facial/IRIS Recognition | Body Worn Video Product | Cyber Security |
| Video Surveillance/VMS | Mobile Technology | Anti-Malware |
| Audio Analytics | Disaster Preparedness | ID Management |
| Thermal/Infrared Camera | Mass Notification System | Fire & Safety |
| Metal/Weapon Detection | Rescue Operations | Critical Infrastructure |
| License Plate Recognition | Detection Products | COVID Innovations |
| Workforce Management | Government Security Programs | And Many Others to Choose From! |
Don’t see a Direct Hit for your Product, Agency or Organization?
Submit your category recommendation for consideration to Michael Madsen, AST Publisher at: mmadsen@americansecuritytoday.com.
In 2021 over 200 distinguished guests representing Federal, State, and Local Governments, and Industry Leading Corporate Firms gathered from across North America, Europe, and the Middle East to be honored among their peers in their respective fields which included:
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The Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
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ICE Homeland Security Investigations (ICE HSI)
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Customs & Border Protection (CBP)
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The Federal Protective Service (FPS)
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Argonne National Laboratory (ANL)
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DHS Science & Technology (S&T)
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The National Center for Disaster Medicine & Public Health (NCDMPH)
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The American Red Cross
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The InfraGard National Alliance
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The Metropolitan Police (MPD)
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The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA)
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Naval Postgraduate School Center for Homeland Defense and Security (CHDS)
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The Federal Air Marshals Service
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The San Diego Harbor Police Foundation, and Many More!
Register for the 2022 ‘ASTORS’ Luncheon Today
American Security Today is delighted to announce, that Deputy Executive Assistant Commissioner (DEAC) Diane J. Sabatino of the Office of Field Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), will be the opening keynote speaker at the much-anticipated 2022 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Presentation Luncheon, on Wednesday, November 16th, 2022.
American Security Today’s Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards is the preeminent U.S. Homeland Security Awards Program, and now in its Seventh Year, continues to recognize industry leaders of Physical and Border Security, Cybersecurity, Emergency Preparedness – Management and Response, Law Enforcement, First Responders, as well as federal, state and municipal government agencies in the acknowledgment of their outstanding efforts to Keep our Nation Secure.
To take advantage of this exclusive luncheon opportunity to invite your team, guests, clients, and show visitors to a gourmet, affordable, plated meal event in the heart of New York City, for a fabulous networking opportunity!
Go to https://americansecuritytoday.com/product/awards-luncheon/ to secure your seat or reserve a table. ***Limited space available so Register Today. There will be no on-site registrations.
Your ‘ASTORS’ Awards Luncheon registration includes complimentary attendee access to ISC East where you can meet the world’s most innovative suppliers and cyber experts, immerse yourself in hands-on tech and learn from world-renowned speakers and thought-leaders.
Why American Security Today?
The traditional security marketplace has long been covered by a host of publications putting forward the old school basics to what is Today – a fast-changing security landscape.
American Security Today is uniquely focused on the broader Homeland Security & Public Safety marketplace with over 75,000 readers at the Federal, State, and local levels of government as well as firms allied to the government.
American Security Today brings forward a fresh compelling look and read with our customized digital publications that hold readers’ eyes throughout the story with cutting-edge editorial that provides solutions to their challenges.
Harness the Power of the Web – with our 100% Mobile Friendly Publications
AST Digital Publications are distributed to over 75,000 qualified government and homeland security professionals, in federal, state, local, and private security sectors.
‘PROTECTING OUR NATION, ONE CITY AT A TIME’
AST Reaches both Private & Public Experts, essential to meeting these new challenges.
Today’s new generation of public safety and security experts need real-time knowledge to deal with domestic and international terrorism, lone wolf attacks, unprecedented urban violence, shifts in society, culture, and media bias – making it increasingly difficult for Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, First Responders, Military and Private Security Professionals to implement coordinated security measures to ensure national security and improve public safety.
These experts are from Government at the federal, state, and local level as well as from private firms allied to the government.
AST provides a full plate of topics in our AST Monthly Magazine Editions, AST Website, and AST Daily News Alerts, covering 23 Vital Sectors such as Access Control, Perimeter Protection, Video Surveillance/Analytics, Airport Security, Border Security, CBRNE Detection, Border Security, Ports, Cybersecurity, Networking Security, Encryption, Law Enforcement, First Responders, Campus Security, Security Services, Corporate Facilities, and Emergency Response among others.
AST has Expanded readership into integral Critical Infrastructure audiences such as Protection of Nuclear Facilities, Water Plants & Dams, Bridges & Tunnels, and other potential targets of terrorism.
Other areas of concern include Transportation Hubs, Public Assemblies, Government Facilities, Sporting & Concert Stadiums, our Nation’s Schools & Universities, and Commercial Business Destinations – all enticing targets due to the large number of persons and resources clustered together.
(See just a few highlights of American Security Today’s 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Presentation Luncheon at ISC East. Courtesy of My Pristine Images and Vimeo.)
To learn more about ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Award Winners solutions, please see the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ CHAMPIONS Edition Fully Interactive Magazine – the Best Products of 2021 ‘A Year in Review’.
The Annual CHAMPIONS edition includes a review of Annual ‘ASTORS’ Award Winning products and programs, highlighting key details on many of the winning firm’s products and services, including video interviews and more.
It serves as your Go-To Source throughout the year for ‘The Best of 2021 Products and Services‘ endorsed by American Security Today, and can satisfy your agency’s and/or organization’s most pressing Homeland Security and Public Safety needs.
From Physical Security (Access Control, Critical Infrastructure, Perimeter Protection, and Video Surveillance Cameras and Video Management Systems), to IT Security (Cybersecurity, Encryption, Data Storage, Anti-Malware and Networking Security – Just to name a few), the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ CHAMPIONS EDITION has what you need to Detect, Delay, Respond to, and Mitigate today’s real-time threats in our constantly evolving security landscape.
It also includes featured guest editorial pieces from some of the security industry’s most respected leaders, and recognized firms in the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program.
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For a complete list of 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Award Winners, begin HERE.
For more information on All Things American Security Today, as well as the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program, please contact Michael Madsen, AST Publisher at mmadsen@americansecuritytoday.com.
AST strives to meet a 3 STAR trustworthiness rating, based on the following criteria:
- Provides named sources
- Reported by more than one notable outlet
- Includes supporting video, direct statements, or photos
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21 Members of Multi-State Fentanyl, Meth & Coke Trafficking Ring Arrested
