Law enforcement agencies in Missouri are alerting the public to the presence of Purple Fentanyl, a risky substance recently identified in johnson County, Missouri, and Omaha.

This drug consists of a mixture of fentanyl and lidocaine, an anesthetic. The combination intensifies the effects of fentanyl, according to authorities.

The Johnson County, Missouri, Sheriff’s Office has indicated that this particular mixture may be resistant to Narcan, a medication used to reverse opioid overdoses.

According to local police, the drugs are believed to be originating from the Metro area.

However, drug task forces in Kansas City, Kansas, and Jackson County, Missouri, have stated that they have not yet encountered the fentanyl/lidocaine combination within their jurisdictions.

Shawn Magee of the KCKPD Narcotics and Violent Crimes Task Force, stated, “it’s mostly something that we’re seeing as a branding technique. We in Kansas City, Kansas, have not seen any Narcan-resistant elements; obviously, they can be taking some other type of narcotic on top of what they’re taking.”

Magee added that this is not the first instance of fentanyl appearing in a different color. He explained, “We do see a lot with our different types of drugs that they cut it with different types or materials or elements to expand the profitability of their product.”

The Jackson County Drug Task Force, across the Stateline, has also reported seeing the substance but remains uncertain about its specific composition. The agency noted that lab results can take six to nine months to process.

Dan Cummings, who has worked with narcotics units in Jackson County for over 30 years, echoed the sentiment that purple fentanyl is likely a marketing strategy. He cautioned, “The purple coloring, I think is a marketing gimmick by these guys so I would imagine there’s probably white fentanyl mixed with Lidocaine, not just the purple,” he explained, ” I would hate to put out there hey watch out for the purple fentanyl because the other may be just as bad or worse mixed with something else.”

Cummings added that, based on his experience, drug dealers and manufacturers employ such tactics to increase product volume and appeal.

While neither agency has confirmed the presence of the fentanyl/lidocaine mixture, both emphasize that all forms of fentanyl are dangerous, regardless of color.

“One pill can kill; one injection can kill and there’s no coming back from this,” stressed Cummings.

Cummings stressed, “One pill can kill; one injection can kill and there’s no coming back from this.” He further warned, “It can be cocaine, it can be Marijuana, it can be K2, it can be heroin, anything can be mixed with something that can potentially cause a lethal encounter.”

Despite claims that this new version might resist Narcan, both agencies maintain that Narcan remains a vital, life-saving tool, especially when combined with education.

While Cummings did not provide specific figures, he indicated a downward trend in the number of overdoses.Magee reported similar trends in KCK, noting 127 overdoses on August 18, 2023, which decreased to 83 in 2024 and 71 this year.