Houston electrical lineman generates myth about fentanyl-laced water
In recent trending conversations, some claim people who use drugs “don’t deserve help.”
Recent conversations highlight the dangers of synthetic opioids and reflect public fears about accidental contact with substances.
This past week, online conversations about opioids focused on the dangers of synthetic opioids like fentanyl, ISO, and desomorphine (“Krokodil”), with false claims about fentanyl-laced water driving the largest spike. Social media posts reflected widespread fears about accidentally coming into contact with dangerous substances and overdosing.
These conversations provide an opportunity for public health communicators to prebunk myths about accidental fentanyl exposure, share the signs of an opioid overdose, and educate about harm reduction tools that prevent overdose deaths.
Insights brought to you by the reporters and science writers of Public Good News (PGN), a nonprofit newsroom dedicated to improving community health.
What’s trending nationally in conversations about opioids
Last week, a video of a Houston electrical lineman falsely claiming his coworkers received fentanyl-laced bottled water from local residents spread across TikTok, X, and Facebook. Similar false claims arose last year and were debunked. One X user who shared the recent video wrote, “Democrat-run cities are not safe!” That post received approximately 1.6 million views, 8,100 likes, 3,300 reposts, and 500 comments as of July 24. On July 16, a Houston news website reported that the claims in the video are false.
On July 18, multiple news websites reported that a powerful synthetic opioid called N-desethyl isotonitazene, or ISO, was detected in the Florida drug supply. One article claimed that naloxone “is not always effective” at stopping an ISO overdose. The articles spread across Facebook, X, and Reddit, where some social media users discussed the dangers of the drug and others blamed immigrants for bringing ISO into the U.S.
Discussion about the dangers of opioids continued on July 19, when a Reddit post in the subreddit r/NoStupidQuestions asked, “What’s a recreational drug that one should never try even once?” The thread received approximately 6,800 upvotes and 3,300 comments as of July 24. A comment that referenced the opioid Krokodil received more than 3,000 upvotes. Other users said heroin and fentanyl are the most dangerous recreational drugs.
Recommendations brought to you by the health communication experts behind Infodemiology.com.
Recommendations for public health professionals
Each week, the Infodemiology.com team will provide messaging recommendations in response to some of the trending narratives outlined above. These helpful tips can be used when creating content, updating web and FAQ pages, and developing strategy for messaging about mental health.
Trending conversations about opioid risks and naloxone show continued public confusion about the signs of an opioid overdose, as well as where to access naloxone, whether naloxone works against certain drugs, and how to use it.
Messaging may emphasize that naloxone reverses opioid overdoses and can be administered by any bystander. Ensuring that informational materials explain that naloxone is effective at reversing an ISO overdose, but multiple doses may be required, is recommended.
These conversations also provide an opportunity for community organizations and other partners that serve people who use drugs about fentanyl test strips, which prevent overdose deaths by helping people determine whether their drugs unknowingly contain fentanyl. These test strips are available for purchase online and may be available for free through local harm reduction programs. However, the public may be unaware that fentanyl test strips are considered “drug paraphernalia” in some states and are not legal everywhere. Staying up to date on drug checking equipment laws in each state is recommended.
Additional messaging may emphasize that accidental fentanyl exposure through water or through touch is highly unlikely.