The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently reported that over 112,000 people died from drug overdoses in 2023. The United States has by far the highest rate of overdose deaths per capita.
In as many as 70% of cases, fentanyl is listed as the cause of death. This drug, which didn’t exist in its current form a decade ago, has long since surpassed crack, methamphetamine, and cocaine, which dominated the drug scene in recent decades.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is used as a medication in the US and is prescribed by doctors. The US Food and Drug Administration has approved it for use as an analgesic and anesthetic.
The problem arose when, about a decade ago, drug addicts and prescription drug abusers realized that it was up to 100 times stronger than morphine and 50 times stronger than heroin, while being much cheaper and more accessible.
Thus, instead of its original intended use, fentanyl began to be abused as a drug, and many addicts found solace in it.
In addicts, fentanyl causes euphoria, pain relief, confusion, drowsiness, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, constricted pupils, and difficulty breathing.
Over time, the individual becomes incapable of normal life and performing daily tasks.
While doctors became aware of this fact and began prescribing it in smaller quantities, it was too late, and the epidemic had gained momentum. Simultaneously, with the increased demand, its illegal production began, and instead of laboratories producing crystal meth (as depicted in Breaking Bad), those producing fentanyl began to emerge, the new golden goose of drug dealers.
This also changed the drug market, as fentanyl quickly pushed out other previously popular narcotics. Fentanyl use in the US is increasing year by year, and previous efforts by federal authorities, police, health, and social services have not been successful.
Pessimistic predictions suggest that only another, stronger, and cheaper drug can replace fentanyl on the scene. Watch our editor Antonije Kovačević’s report on America’s deadliest drugs…
Author: Antonije Kovačević
Video: Vladimir Talijan
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