Fentanyl in Cocaine: What New York Families Need to Know Right Now

What Families in New York Need to Know About Fentanyl Contamination in Cocaine

My name is Benjamin Zohar, NCACIP, and I work as an intervention specialist supporting families across New York City, Long Island, and the Hudson Valley. Over the past two years, the most urgent concern I encounter is not what most people expect—it’s fentanyl showing up in cocaine.

Many families I work with reach out after a near-fatal overdose involving someone who never identified as having a substance use disorder. In many cases, they used cocaine recreationally or only in social situations. The assumption that “it was just cocaine” is putting countless New Yorkers at risk.

What I'm Seeing in the Field

Across communities in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, Staten Island, and Suffolk County, fentanyl contamination is becoming more common. Some of the people I support had no prior opioid exposure, making the overdose risk even higher.

ISSUP recently published information that reflects exactly what I am witnessing in real time:

Concerned About Fentanyl in Cocaine? Here's What You Need to Know

For professionals and families alike, awareness is now a lifesaving tool.

Why Fentanyl in Cocaine Is Especially Dangerous

• No tolerance — people who don’t use opioids have zero tolerance, increasing overdose risk.
• Hidden contamination — fentanyl is not visible, detectable by taste, or noticeable in most cases.
• Unpredictable potency — contamination can vary dramatically between batches or even within the same bag.
• Delayed recognition — friends often don’t realize an overdose is occurring because they expect cocaine effects, not opioid respiratory depression.

In New York, this combination is contributing to unexpected overdoses among young adults, nightlife workers, professionals, and people who use substances casually.

How I Help Families Respond

When a family calls me after an event involving fentanyl-contaminated cocaine, my role is to move them quickly from fear to an actionable plan. I typically focus on:

• Crisis stabilization and helping everyone understand the medical risks
• SBIRT-informed screening to assess patterns, risk factors, and safety concerns
• Family coaching for communication, boundaries, and safety planning
• Treatment navigation when the individual is willing to engage in care
• Relapse-prevention planning for those continuing to use or uncertain about treatment

My goal is not judgment but safety, clarity, and connection to the right level of care.

Free 22-Panel Test Cups: A Practical Harm-Reduction Tool

To help prevent tragedies, I provide free 22-panel drug test cups for individuals and families who need them. These tests can detect a wide range of substances and give families a clearer picture of what is happening before an emergency occurs.

You can read more about them here:
22-Panel Urine Drug Test Cup – Harm-Reduction Resource

They are not a “solution,” but they are a helpful starting point for early intervention—especially when someone is not yet ready for treatment.

What New York Families Should Watch For

If you live in NYC, Long Island, or the Hudson Valley, here are early warning signs that someone may have been exposed to fentanyl unexpectedly:

• Sudden extreme drowsiness or “nodding off” after using cocaine
• Confusion, slurred speech, or difficulty staying awake
• Slow or irregular breathing
• Nausea or vomiting shortly after use
• A person becoming unresponsive faster than expected

If any of these happen, call emergency services immediately.

Why I’m Sharing This

I share this because many of the families I meet believed this could “never happen” to them. Some had a loved one who only used cocaine occasionally. Some were professionals. Some were teenagers. Some were parents.

Fentanyl contamination does not discriminate. The more we talk about it, the more lives we can save.

If You Work in New York’s Recovery or Harm-Reduction Space

I would genuinely value your insights. What are you seeing in your county, your program, or your emergency rooms?

Feel free to share data, local trends, or strategies below so we can strengthen our collective response throughout New York State.

— Benjamin Zohar, NCACIP

Intervention Specialist & Recovery Navigator – New York