The opioid crisis, fueled by OxyContin, reached a new level with the rise of fentanyl. While both are highly addictive opioids, fentanyl is a synthetic drug that is cheaper to produce and significantly more potent. This article explores why fentanyl is increasingly found in other drugs.
According to the CDC, nearly 83,000 people died from opioid overdoses in 2022, primarily due to fentanyl and similar synthetic opioids. Fentanyl has been used medically since the 1960s as an anesthetic and is still prescribed for severe pain management. However, the current crisis stems from illicitly manufactured fentanyl.
The Rise of Illicit Fentanyl
Drug cartels and other illegal entities now produce fentanyl, leading to its widespread availability. This illicit fentanyl is often mixed with other drugs, a practice known as “lacing.”
Why is Fentanyl Added to Other Drugs?
There are several reasons why drug dealers lace drugs with fentanyl:
Increased Potency and Addiction:
Fentanyl’s extreme potency creates a more intense high, increasing the likelihood of addiction. This can lead to increased demand and profits for dealers.
Cost-Effectiveness:
Fentanyl is significantly cheaper to produce than other drugs like heroin or cocaine. Lacing allows dealers to stretch their supply, maximizing profits. A small amount of fentanyl can significantly increase a drug’s potency, reducing the amount of other substances needed.
Deception and Unintentional Overdoses:
Users may unknowingly consume fentanyl when it’s laced into other drugs. This can lead to accidental overdoses, especially for individuals with no tolerance for opioids. Dealers may disguise fentanyl as prescription pills, further increasing the risk of unintentional consumption.
The Dangers of Laced Drugs
The primary danger of fentanyl-laced drugs is the high risk of overdose. Even a tiny amount of fentanyl can be lethal, particularly for those unaware of its presence. Because fentanyl is so potent, users may underestimate the dose, leading to accidental overdose. The unpredictable nature of street drugs makes it impossible to know the exact amount of fentanyl present, further increasing the danger.
Conclusion
The lacing of drugs with fentanyl is a serious public health crisis driven by profit and fueled by the drug’s potency and low production cost. This practice significantly increases the risk of accidental overdose and death. The unpredictable nature of street drugs makes it impossible to know if a substance contains fentanyl, highlighting the importance of harm reduction strategies and seeking help for substance use disorders.
