If you find a folded dollar bill on the street, please: Don’t pick it up! Although it may seem like a lucky day, you may regret it later because it could be contaminated with drugs.
The situation has generated alarm in several states, especially in Kansas, Tennessee and California, in the United States, where the packages with the illicit substances have been found. But why is it so dangerous?
WHY IS IT DANGEROUS TO PICK UP FOLDED DOLLARS ON THE STREET IN THE UNITED STATES?
The folded dollars have appeared in several states in the United States, raising alarm about the health risk they represent, given that drugs have been found inside, in some cases combined with the lethal fentanyl.
In Kansas, Sheriff’s Office of Lane County, explained that it is common for drug users and dealers to transport drugs in folded or paper money, and that it can be “exceptionally dangerous” if the drug is fentanyl or something similar. In April 2022, a Dighton resident found a folded dollar bill in his yard. When they opened it, they found methamphetamine.
“The problem with any substance that is dangerous is that People tend to put their fingers in their mouth or rub their eyes, which will easily allow chemicals to be absorbed into the system. Children are at particular risk of exposure to chemicals because they are completely unaware of the dangers that exist.”said the Sheriff’s Office, which asked to remain alert to potential dangers in their surroundings.
Authorities in Tennessee, where folded dollars have also been found, have warned citizens not to pick up folded dollar bills they find on the street or in public places because they may contain fentanyl, which can be lethal even in trace amounts.
The Perry County Sheriff’s Office alerted of two incidents in which “a white powdery substance” on some folded bills found on the floor of a gas station. The powder was tested and tested positive for methamphetamine and fentanyl.
A woman from Kentucky, on the other hand, shared on her account Facebook who found a dollar bill at a McDonald’s restaurant in Tennessee and ended up in the hospital for an overdose.
“This is very dangerous, friends! Share and teach your children not to collect money”said Perry Sheriff Nick Weems.
The substance analyzed by the Police turned out to be methamphetamine and fentanyl. In California, this last drug overdosed a police officer by simply touching it during the investigation of a crime scene in San Diego, California, in the summer of 2021, according to Univision.
WHAT DO I DO IF I FIND A FOLDED BILL ON THE STREET?
If you find cash or other items with an unknown substance, you should wash your hands and call 911.
WHAT IS FENTANYL?
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid, which is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It’s lethal.
“M.More than 150 people die every day from overdoses related to synthetic opioids like fentanyl”, adds the organization.
Powdered fentanyl is often mixed with heroin and methamphetamine. You cannot see it, taste it, or smell it.