This article was co-authored by How.com.vn staff writer, Finn Kobler. Finn Kobler graduated from USC in 2022 with a BFA in Writing for Screen/Television. He is a two-time California State Champion and record holder in Original Prose/Poetry, a 2018 finalist for the Los Angeles Youth Poet Laureate, and he's written micro-budget films that have been screened in over 150 theaters nationwide. Growing up, Finn spent every summer helping his family's nonprofit arts program, Showdown Stage Company, empower people through accessible media. He hopes to continue that mission with his writing at How.com.vn.
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So you’re walking down the street, exhausted from a long work or school day, and you see a rolled-up dollar bill lying on the ground. While you might be thinking the extra cash is a stroke of good luck, things unfortunately aren’t that simple. In fact, picking up a rolled-up buck could be deadly if you’re not careful. In this article, we’ll go over the meaning of these deceptive dollars, their dangers, and how to deal with them safely.
Things You Should Know
- Rolled-up dollar bills may have been used to snort fentanyl and could still have traces of the drug inside. Avoid picking them up.
- If you see a rolled-up dollar bill, contact law enforcement to notify them.
- Talk to your community via email, social media, or town hall meeting if you notice suspicious-looking rolled-up dollar bills popping up in public places.
Steps
What to Do When You See Rolled-Up Money
- Leave the dollar bill on the ground. If you notice a folded, tucked, or rolled bill, don’t pick it up. Picking up these bills can get fentanyl on your fingers and increase your risk of accidentally absorbing the drug if you touch other parts of your body.[2]
- Research is conflicting on whether or not you can get fentanyl poisoning from just skin contact, but it’s always best to air on the side of caution.[3]
- If you accidentally touch the bill for any reason, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. Avoid using hand sanitizer or bleach to clean your hands as they may not effectively get rid of all the residue.[4]
- Call the police or report the bill to other nearby authorities. Once you’ve spotted a potentially-laced bill, call 9-1-1 or dial the emergency service number for whatever area you’re in. Tell them you have reason to suspect the bill contains fentanyl. If it does, first responders will know how to dispose of the powder safely and effectively so nobody is harmed.[5]
- If you find the bill in a privately-owned area like a Walmart or concert venue, notify an owner or staff member so they can prevent others from picking it up, too.
- Notify others that these bills are being spread in your community. Text your friends, post on social media, and/or contact your city council to let them know there might be fentanyl-laced products in nearby public spaces. The more educated people are about the potential dangers of these bills, the less likely everyone is to get hurt.[6]
- Consider forming a block club or other safety organization to help rid your neighborhood of drug markets if you notice these dollar bills becoming a common occurrence. Meeting as little as once a month can help your community tremendously by giving people strategies on spotting dealers and helping combat addiction.[7]
- For more information on fighting drug addiction in your neighborhood, visit the CDC Drug-Free Communities website.
Expert Q&A
Video
Tips
- Fentanyl addiction is often treated with a combination of medication and therapy. The worst withdrawal symptoms happen in the first 1-3 days of fentanyl detox, but the full detox and recovery timeline looks different for everybody.[17]Thanks
- For more information on fentanyl addiction and help with rehabilitation, visit the American Addiction Centers website.Thanks
Warnings
- If you think you’ve accidentally ingested fentanyl, shower and wash yourself thoroughly and immediately.Thanks
- If you feel any fentanyl use symptoms after being in contact with a laced bill (drowsiness, dizziness, constipation), seek medical attention. It’s unlikely that fentanyl has done any harm to your system, but better to be safe than sorry.Thanks
References
- ↑ https://www.wesh.com/article/tavares-police-officer-fentanyl-overdose/42232818
- ↑ https://www.wkrg.com/baldwin-county/second-fentanyl-laced-dollar-bill-found-in-orange-beach-two-officers-exposed/
- ↑ https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/23/2018/01/Fentanyl-FAQ-opioid-exposure-among-va-first-responder-survey.pdf
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/fentanyl/healthcareprevention.html
- ↑ https://www.newsnationnow.com/us-news/mid-south/tennessee-sheriff-warns-of-fentanyl-laced-money/
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/featured-topics/drug-free-communities.html
- ↑ https://www.ncpc.org/resources/home-neighborhood-safety/strategies/strategy-safer-design-of-public-areas-in-neighborhoods/
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/stopoverdose/fentanyl/index.html
- ↑ https://www.dea.gov/resources/facts-about-fentanyl
- ↑ https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/trends-statistics/overdose-death-rates
- ↑ https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/fentanyl
- ↑ https://www.dea.gov/resources/facts-about-fentanyl
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/stopoverdose/fentanyl/fentanyl-test-strips.html#:~:text=Positive%20results%3A%20A%20single%20pink,Using%20it%20could%20kill%20you.
- ↑ https://www.umassmed.edu/news/news-archives/2022/05/what-is-fentanyl-and-why-is-it-behind-the-deadly-surge-in-us-drug-overdoses/
- ↑ https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2018-07/PRB-DIB-003-18.pdf
- ↑ https://www.dea.gov/fentanylawareness
- ↑ https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/fentanyl
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