Fentanyl is a fatal drug. Most drug overdoses that happen now are because of fentanyl related doses. Often, people buy various drugs without knowing they could contain Fentanyl. It’s crucial to emphasize that the effect of it being fatal does not mean it has to be a large dose. Yet, it is still not something you can detect with the naked eye. In most cases, Fentanyl can be in candy, liquid, powders, capsules, and many other things. People typically can find these drugs on the street and illegally purchase them. 

Fentanyl is a prosthetic opioid drug often mixed with heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine. These are normally made into pills to resemble other prescribed opioids. But Fentanyl can be a very dangerous drug that is only meant to be used by professionals in the medical field. 

In the medical world, doctors often use the drug to put their patients to sleep in the event of a major operation. Yet, too much can be fatal, causing the patient to overdose and possibly never wake up. This is mainly why professionals are the only ones with restricted access to this drug due to its ability to cause fatalities. Just 2 milligrams of this drug can cause an overdose. 

Though it’s important to note that the vast majority of this drug comes from the Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco cartel located in México, these drugs are sent to the United States and sold throughout the country. Fentanyl bought on the streets is likely a synthetic drug classified as an illicitly manufactured fentanyl. Where this opioid can then be sold as small tablets or dissolvable films. 

Reportedly, In 2020, about 68,630 opioid overdoses were reported. By 2021, that number rose to 70,601 deaths. More than 77% of overdose deaths in the state were involved with Fentanyl and other substances. The use of Fentanyl became popular just before the coronavirus pandemic, mainly affecting the eastern parts of America in specific places like Washington and New York. 

The current Fentanyl crisis highlights the deepening drug crisis in America and underscores the need for more resources to make a difference. Addiction is a disease and needs to be given more national attention. If you are interested in obtaining resources on the matter please visit https://www.dea.gov/what-we-do/education-and-prevention for more information. 

Source used in article: https://www.hhs.texas.gov/services/mental-health-substance-use/mental-health-substance-use-resources/fighting-fentanyl.