Fentanyl is a very powerful and dangerous drug, and law enforcement, other first responders,

are often exposed to it.

Unfortunately, many of them are given gross misinformation, such as it being deadly

when absorbed through your skin after touching it or even just touching a drug victim.

Skeptoid has the real scoop for you, and that's coming up right now on Skeptoid.

You're listening to Skeptoid.

I'm Brian Donning from Skeptoid.com.

Handling Fentanyl, a touchy topic.

In 2020, the San Diego Sheriff's Department in California released a frightening video

from the body cam of one of its officers.

Two officers approached a parked Jeep, and upon searching it, found a white substance.

One did a field chemical test which confirmed the substance was fentanyl,

one of the most powerful and deadly illicit opioids.

He then took a few steps back and collapsed.

His partner, whose video was shown, realized he had overdosed from exposure to the fentanyl

and gave him two nasal sprays of Naloxone, which reverses the effects.

Paramedics arrived and transported both officers to the hospital.

During the ride, the officer went into a second overdose and required more Naloxone.

The video went viral, and police departments everywhere began cautioning their officers

and the general public that the slightest exposure to fentanyl, even if only by touch,

could be fatal.

This warning was actually in line with the official pre-existing advice from the US Drug

...