What is fentanyl, and how are poisoning victims taking it without even knowing?
READ MORE
Tracking the Fentanyl Trade
As fentanyl devastates communities across the United States, Americans are fighting the epidemic on multiple fronts. This is the war against America’s deadliest drug.
Expand All
An average of 295 people died from a drug overdose each day in 2021, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Of those 107,622 deaths, about 66% were caused by opioids.
The opioid epidemic was initially fueled by pharmaceutical companies over-prescribing OxyContin. But over the last few years, synthetic fentanyl manufactured in labs has caused a new surge in deaths.
In 2022, preliminary data showed 68% of the more than 107,000 reported drug overdose deaths in the U.S. involved synthetic opioids other than methadone — primarily illegally manufactured fentanyl, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control.
For those who have not heard of the drug, here are some basic question and answers about fentanyl.
What is fentanyl?
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is similar to morphine but about 50 to 100 times more potent. Prescription fentanyl is different from synthetic fentanyl. In its prescription form, fentanyl is a medicine that is typically used to treat severe pain. Synthetic fentanyl can be added to other drugs like heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine. It can also be sold illegally as a powder, dropped onto blotter paper, put in eye droppers and nasal sprays, or made into pills that look like other prescription opioids, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
What is a counterfeit pill?
Counterfeit pills are pills that look like prescription pills such as Adderall, Xanax and Percocet, but are actually laced with fentanyl. According to the DEA, fentanyl-laced fake pills have become increasingly common in the U.S.
Last year, the DEA issued a Public Safety Alert on the widespread drug trafficking of fentanyl-laced fake prescription pills in American communities. These pills are largely made by two Mexican drug cartels, the Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco (CJNG) Cartel, to look identical to real prescription medications.
Is fentanyl lethal?
It can be. As little as two milligrams of fentanyl — an amount so small it could fit on the tip of a pencil — is a potentially deadly dose if it enters the body. In 2022, the DEA Laboratory reportedly found that of the fentanyl-laced fake prescription pills analyzed, six out of 10 contained a potentially lethal dose of fentanyl.
Why is fentanyl being put in fake pills?
Because a small amount of fentanyl can produce a high, it is a cheap way for drug cartels to manufacture and distribute a larger amount of drugs. This is especially risky when people don’t realize the drug they are taking might contain fentanyl.
Can you tell the difference between a fake pill and a real one?
Not by sight. Counterfeit pills often look extremely similar or identical to real pills. Fentanyl test strips can be used to test pills for the drug. Fentanyl test strips are illegal in several states, including Texas (though Gov. Greg Abbott recently expressed support for decriminalizing them,) and were only recently legalized for sale in others such as Florida. They can be purchased online.
What are some symptoms of an overdose?
According to Texas Health and Human Services, the following can be symptoms of an opioid overdose:
Small, constricted “pinpoint pupils”
Face is extremely pale and/or feels cold or clammy to the touch
Body goes limp
Fingernails or lips have a purple or blue color
Vomiting or making gurgling noises
Cannot be awakened or unable to speak
Breathing or heartbeat slows or stops
What should you do if someone overdoses on fentanyl?
If you think someone has overdosed, the most important step is to ensure they receive immediate medical attention. Once medical personnel arrive, they will administer naloxone if they suspect an opioid drug is involved. Naloxone is a medicine that can rapidly reverse an opioid overdose. Naloxone is available for purchase without a prescription at pharmacies, and is sold under brand names such as Narcan.
Texas Health and Human Services also recommends to:
Call 911 right away.
Try to wake the person up.
Give naloxone, if available.
Begin rescue breathing or CPR.
Turn the person on their side to prevent choking.
Stay with the person until emergency services arrive.
This story was originally published August 29, 2023 at 8:00 AM.
