On episode 4 of Lethal, KGNU’s premiere series uplifting the stories of those who lost their lives to fentanyl poisoning, you’ll hear the stories of Devon Maestas and Saul Rivas, told by Chanoa Maestas. They were 20 and 24, respectively, when they died of drug overdoses.
Listen:
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APublicAffair_2025-05-29 Jackie Sedley
A trigger warning for this first episode of a new series right here on listener-supported KGNU. There’s discussion of drug use and abuse, overdoses and death.
A few fast facts on fentanyl:
- It’s a synthetic opioid, and MUCH more potent than naturally-occurring opioids like morphine or codeine.
- It’s 50 times stronger than heroin, and 100 times stronger than morphine.
- 2 milligrams of fentanyl is considered a lethal dose. That looks like 10-15 grains of table salt.
- It’s often unintentionally taken – sellers cut drugs like cocaine and Percocet with fentanyl to cut costs.
- Fentanyl often kills people that you wouldn’t “typically” consider at-risk for an opioid-related death.
- Now, possessing between one to four grams of a fentanyl compound is considered a Level 4 drug felony, punishable by up to 180 days in jail and up to two years of probation. Possessing 1 gram or less of fentanyl, or a fentanyl compound, is still a Level 1 drug misdemeanor.
- More facts on fentanyl
Resources:
Where to get Naloxone (commonly known as Narcan) in Colorado
Where to get fentanyl testing strips in Colorado:
Where to get support in Colorado for addiction:
