The Grand Junction Police Department (GJPD) and Western Colorado Drug Task Force (WCDTF) are advising the community of the existence of colorful “rainbow fentanyl” pills being distributed in Mesa County. “Rainbow fentanyl” is a new method used by drug cartels to attract children and teens to this highly addictive and potentially deadly drug. Approximately 60,000 fentanyl pills (“blues” and “rainbows”) have been seized on the Western Slope in the last two weeks. The Mesa County Coroner’s Office confirmed 12 deaths related to illicit fentanyl so far in 2022. This shows a rising trend in fentanyl deaths in Mesa County since 2019 when three related deaths were reported. The GJPD and WCDTF are working with our partners at School District 51 on educating staff, students, and families, and encourage parents to have conversations with their children about the dangers of this drug.
For more information on “rainbow fentanyl” visit:
https://www.dea.gov/press-releases/2022/08/30/dea-warns-brightly-colored-fentanyl-used-target-young-americans