Pierce County Sheriff warns of candy-colored fentanyl pills

September 13, 2022 / 2:24 pm

1 of 2The Pierce County Sheriff's Department posted this photo of candy-colored pills containing fentanyl, with a warning for parents to watch out in case children get ahold of them.

Credit: Pierce County Sheriff's Department

They appear like attractive pieces of candy or sidewalk chalk, but the Pierce County Sheriff's Department is warning that these rainbow-colored items are not for kids, or anyone else for that matter.

"Rainbow fentanyl" has been showing up in the Northwest, notably in Oregon, according to a Sheriff's Department Facebook post. It has also been seized at the southern border. The post, however, does not indicate that rainbow fentanyl has shown up locally in Western Washington.

The rainbow variety is the same as other fentanyl-laced items, but it has been dyed bright colors. It has shown up as multicolored pills and as small chunks — the Sheriff's Office notes these chunks appear like chalk children use on sidewalks.