Drug experts, however, say that there is no new fentanyl threat to kids this Halloween. Sponsor Message

Best said that in the decades he's spent researching this topic, he's never once found "any evidence that any child has ever been killed, or seriously hurt, by a treat found in the course of trick-or-treating."

Brandon del Pozo, an assistant professor of medicine and health services at Brown University, also points to a general sense of fear and paranoia connected to the pandemic, crime rates and the overdose epidemic.

"There's just enough about fentanyl that is true in this case that makes it a gripping narrative," del Pozo said. "It is extremely potent. There are a lot of counterfeit pills that are causing fatal overdoses and the cartels have, in fact, added color to those pills. And tobacco and alcohol companies have used color to promote their products to a younger audience."

Dr. Ryan Marino, medical toxicologist, emergency physician and addiction medicine specialist at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, also points to the upcoming midterm elections. In close races, Republicans attack Democrats over fentanyl and the overdose crisis Elections In close races, Republicans attack Democrats over fentanyl and the overdose crisis

"It also seems to have become heavily politicized because this is a very tense election year with very intense partisan politics," he said. "It also seems as if people are using fentanyl for political purposes."