The Olympic Peninsula Narcotics Enforcement Team (OPNET) is warning communities about a growing trend of pills sometimes referred to as “rainbow fentanyl” being found in the Pacific Northwest.

Agencies in 18 states as near as Oregon have reported seizing the brightly colored pills as well as some that resemble sidewalk chalk, OPNET officials said last week in a press release.

“Drug cartels are constantly looking for ways to addict new users and this appears to be a way to entice younger users to fentanyl use,” officials said.

“Although OPNET has not encountered any multicolored fentanyl, trends such as this generally emerge in our area after they have filtered northward from Mexico and through southern states.”

OPNET encourages parents to have open communication with their children regarding the dangers of illicit drug use.

Find more information and parent resources at dea.gov/fentanylawareness.