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Have you ever wondered what your kids are talking about when they use slang words? Have you ever heard the names King Ivory, Murder 8, or Tango & Cash? These are all street names for the same thing: fentanyl. A drug that, in 2022 alone, led to more than 70,000 overdoses.
At Serenity Lane, we have extensive experience with fentanyl. As one of the oldest non-profit rehabs in the state, our knowledge comes from years of first-hand experience with substances and the terminologies around them. Understanding these names can be a crucial skill, both for protecting yourself, but also supporting those you love.
Street names are essentially slang used in place of the technical name of a drug. Primarily, street names are used to hide the real identity of the drug, especially from law enforcement. They can also be social in nature, used to market a specific strain or highlight its effects, as in ecstasy (another name for the drug MDMA). However, it’s important to note that street names by nature change frequently, and vary from region to region.
Drug slang and street names are designed to blend into regular conversations, often to avoid attention from family or even law enforcement. By understanding when and where they might be used, you gain deeper insight into what might be going on around you.
By having an awareness of fentanyl’s street names, you can keep yourself safe in unfamiliar situations, where you may not know the drug is present. Additionally, this knowledge can better equip you to help your friends and family, both by recognizing specific terms they use, and understanding what risks may be involved.
In this section, we break down many of the ways you may hear people talk about fentanyl. Sometimes, information can feel overwhelming, especially about such a serious topic. However, we believe that knowledge is power and that by being informed, you are able to make safer and better decisions that prioritize your well-being when it comes to illicit substances.
We aim to provide an overview of these terms, but it’s important to note that we cannot cover them all. Slang of any kind will constantly be changing, and may even vary slightly from region to region.
These names stem from a variety of regions or backgrounds, but all refer to fentanyl. While some may seem obvious at first, it’s important not to miss these references in the mix of other conversations.
With fentanyl, it is difficult to say whether there are street names specific to Oregon. The main point of street names is to talk about the drugs without the notice of law enforcement. If every street name were well known, this would not be very effective!
It’s important to emphasize that street names are constantly changing, and the internet has only sped this process up. Any list of names can’t be fully comprehensive, at least not for very long.
However, there are several street names that have regional influences. These mostly refer to China, where many of the chemicals used to produce fentanyl were originally sourced. These names include China White, China Girl, the White Dragon, and Dragon’s Breath. There are other slightly regional names
As more and more communication switches to mobile phones and text, emojis have become street names in of themselves. Fentanyl is no different in this regard, with a variety of emojis or emoji combinations being used to represent these potent drugs:
These are the common names for combinations of other drugs with fentanyl. Some of the more common ones include crack cocaine and heroin. It’s important to note that fentanyl may be mixed with other drugs unknowingly. Just because something isn’t referred to by these names, does not mean it only contains a single drug:
Fentanyl is a powerful prescription opioid medication with important uses in pain management, especially for cancer patients with chronic pain or those who require invasive surgery. As time has gone on, many different brands have begun offering fentanyl treatments, each with its own unique delivery method:
If you’re concerned that a loved one might be taking fentanyl, it’s important to know that help is available. Living with a fentanyl use disorder can feel like an endless cycle. Yet despite fentanyl’s reputation as a powerful opioid, recovery is always possible. In our experience, a majority of patients remain sober one year after receiving evidence-based fentanyl treatment.
It’s important to look at facilities that offer an individualized approach, taking the stance that each person is unique and faces their own challenges. There is no one size fits treatment plan, and the process of recovery will vary greatly depending on your circumstances. Finding a plan that suits your child’s specific needs is key to ensuring their success.
If you are ready to take the next step in your recovery, please call Serenity Lane today at 800-543-9905. We offer a full continuum of care, ranging from detox, to residential, to an extensive network of outpatient locations across Oregon for continued treatment.
Finding serenity in long-term recovery.
What are common street names for fentanyl?
Common street names for fentanyl include Tango & Cash, Apache, China Girl, Dance Fever, Goodfellas, Murder 8, Takeover, and more.
Do fentanyl street names change over time?
Yes, street names change continuously, and can even vary from region to region. It’s important to use up-to-date resources when considering the meaning behind any slang terms.
How do I talk to my kids about fentanyl and street names?
Keep the conversation relevant and direct - don’t try to sugarcoat any language. It’s important to communicate any danger, as well as be realistic and open about how to recognize when fentanyl is being discussed.
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