Buckeye police participated in the Fentanyl Forum on January 22, 2025, organized by local non-profit Way Out West Coalition. The forum, moderated by Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell, included subject matter experts in addition to powerful testimony from a prevention advocate in active recovery and a mother who lost her son to fentanyl poisoning in 2024. The event hosted at the Palo Verde Energy Education Center on Verrado Way provided visitors with information about the dangers of fentanyl and Buckeye police efforts to combat fentanyl trafficking in our community.

Social media and the fentanyl crisis

Teens are using their smart phones and social media accounts to buy and sell counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl. Emojis are often used to symbolize different drugs. Popular social media apps and trends are always changing so it’s important to monitor your child’s social media activity and talk to them about the dangers of taking any medication that is not prescribed to them.

Dangers of fentanyl

Fentanyl is the most common substance found in opioid overdose deaths in Arizona. Fentanyl pills are often produced to look like prescription medications so users may not even know the pill contains fentanyl. Even if a counterfeit pill is known to be laced with fentanyl, there is no telling how much fentanyl is in it. Fentanyl is highly potent and even a small amount is deadly. Law enforcement commonly seizes fentanyl pills that are blue in color or in a powder form.

How are Buckeye police combatting fentanyl?

The Buckeye Police Department has two investigators dedicated to the Maricopa County Drug Suppression Taskforce (MCDST) which aims to disrupt and dismantle drug trafficking operations across the valley. Buckeye police have made a number of significant fentanyl seizures and share this information with our community on our social media platforms.

Important resources:

Opioid Assistance and Referral Line 1-888-688-4222

Local medical professionals available 24-7 to offer patients, providers and family members opioid information, resources and referral.

SAMHSA National Helpline 1-800-662-4357

Free, confidential treatment referral and information available 24-7 in English and Spanish.

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

Reach a trained crisis counselor 24-7 by phone, text or chat.

Teen Lifeline 1-800-248-8336

24-7 support line for teens operated by teens.