Why Are So Many People Dying from Fentanyl?
Every day, we hear about more and more people dying from fentanyl. But what is fentanyl, and why is it killing so many people? In this blog post, we will explore the dangers of fentanyl and discuss ways to protect yourself from this dangerous drug. We hope that by understanding the risks associated with fentanyl, you will be able to stay safe and avoid becoming another victim of this deadly epidemic.
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is often abused for its euphoric effects. Unfortunately, fentanyl is also very dangerous and can cause serious harm or death. Recently, there has been an increase in fentanyl-related deaths, and it is crucial to understand why this drug is so deadly.
Why is Fentanyl So Deadly?
Illicit fentanyl is a synthetic, manufactured opiate that can easily be produced in a lab or on the streets; it is less expensive than other opiates and is highly addictive. The drug is responsible for continuous mass poisonings throughout the United States. The reason is that the drug is mostly coming across the border from Mexico, with the active ingredient produced in poorly regulated labs in China.
Considering the fentanyl crisis as mass poisoning is more beneficial in understanding the current situation than a traditional drug epidemic. The new wave of illicit fentanyl has brought with it more than just a high risk for overdose. As the opioid crisis continues to escalate across North America, an alarming trend is emerging that suggests the drug dealers responsible for these overdoses aren’t just cutting heroin with fentanyl but spiking all drugs, including cocaine, Xanax, and prescription opioids with the deadly drug; most of the time, without the buyers, knowing.
Key Findings
- Mexican criminal drug traffickers are mass-producing illicit fentanyl and fentanyl-laced fake pills, utilizing chemicals mainly sourced from China, and are distributing these lethal drugs through U.S. criminal networks.
- One kilogram has the potential to kill 500,000 people.
- It is possible for someone to take a pill without knowing it contains illicit fentanyl due to counterfeit prescription labels on illicit opioids, which often contain other medications such as oxycodone or hydrocodone.
- Without a legitimate prescription purchased in a licensed pharmacy, it is nearly impossible to know how dangerous is the drug you are buying.
- Drug traffickers are mixing fentanyl with other drugs, including non-opioids such as benzodiazepines, methamphetamine, and cocaine, increasing the probability of a fatal interaction.
Anne Milgram, the DEA Administrator, said a significant concern is the ease with which traffickers are selling their products through social media and encrypted apps. “Social media is the perfect drug trafficking tool,” she said.
Although we cannot control what drug traffickers put in the drugs, we can certainly try better to protect our borders from the outrageous fentanyl influx. Addiction experts also agree that another powerful prevention tool is implementing additional and accessible mental health assistance throughout the most affected communities.
Fortunately, science has evolved tremendously in the last decade. Several different mental health and addiction treatments are available; we just ought to make sure they are accessible to all those who need them and not to those who can.
Conclusion:
Fentanyl is killing people in record numbers because it is mixed with other illicit drugs to increase its potency without the buyer’s knowledge. This lethal drug is being added and sold as other illegal substances, mainly to look like legitimate prescription opioids. The issue is that because there is no official supervision or quality control, these counterfeit medications often contain lethal doses of fentanyl, which many people currently consider the current situation a murder crisis and not an overdose problem.
The fentanyl crisis in North America is likely to worsen before it gets better. I genuinely hope this blog post explains why illicit fentanyl is such a problem and what we can do to prevent more people from dying from it. Stay safe out there.
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Reviewed by Clare Waismann
Clare is a Registered Addiction Specialist (RAS), Substance Use Disorder Certified Counselor (SUDCC), founder of WAISMANN METHOD® Opioid Treatment Specialists & Rapid Detox Center and Domus Retreat®. Mrs. Waismann is an authority and expert on opioid dependence, opioid use disorder, substance dependence, detoxification treatments, and detox recovery.
