Deadly Animal Tranquilizer Carfentanil Linked to First Overdose Death in Riverside County

A dangerous and extremely potent drug is now confirmed to have caused its first known fatal overdose in Riverside County. County officials announced Thursday that a 40-year-old resident died of a carfentanil overdose in March.

Carfentanil is a synthetic opioid and a derivative of fentanyl — but it’s significantly more dangerous. It’s not approved for human use and is typically used by veterinarians to sedate large animals like elephants. Health officials warn that carfentanil is 10,000 times more potent than morphine and 100 times stronger than fentanyl.

From January to June of this year, carfentanil has been detected in 238 overdose deaths nationwide — a major surge from just 29 cases during the same period last year. Though it’s been found in dozens of states, this marks the first confirmed case in Riverside County.

NBC Palm Springs' Mary Strong spoke with local health officials who say the drug is being mixed into street drugs to increase potency and prolong highs — often without the user's knowledge. The result can be deadly.

Health experts are urging anyone using recreational drugs not to use alone. A national service called Never Use Alone offers a phone line where someone will stay on the line with users and call 911 if necessary. That number was shared during the NBC Palm Springs newscast.

Officials also recommend carrying Narcan, the medication that reverses opioid overdoses. It is available for free at many pharmacies, no questions asked.

“If you see someone who is unconscious or not breathing, using Narcan can save a life — and there’s no downside,” one public health official noted.

While details surrounding the March death are still limited, public health leaders stress the urgency of the situation. Carfentanil is now circulating in Riverside County, and even casual drug use could be fatal.

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