Fentanyl
Illegally Made Fentanyl
Illegally made fentanyl (IMF) is distributed through illegal drug markets due to its heroin-like effects. Its extreme potency allows it to be added to other drugs, making them cheaper, more powerful, more addictive, and significantly more dangerous.
IMF is available in various forms on the drug market, including liquid and powder.
- Powdered Fentanyl :
- Powdered fentanyl closely resembles many other drugs and is commonly mixed with substances like heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine. It is also made into pills designed to mimic other prescription opioids.
- Drugs mixed with fentanyl pose a severe risk, as many users may be unaware that their drugs contain this potent substance.
- Liquid Fentanyl :
- In its liquid form, IMF can be found in nasal sprays, eye drops, or applied to paper and small candies.
Fentanyl and Overdose
Synthetic opioids like fentanyl are responsible for nearly 70% of overdose deaths . Even in small doses, fentanyl can be lethal. Over the past few years, the incidence of both nonfatal and fatal overdoses involving fentanyl has continued to rise.
Drugs may contain fatal levels of fentanyl, which cannot be seen, tasted, or smelled. It is nearly impossible to determine if drugs have been mixed with fentanyl without testing them using fentanyl test strips .
Test strips are inexpensive and typically provide results within 5 minutes , which can be the difference between life and death. However, even if a test shows negative results, caution should be exercised, as these strips may not detect more potent fentanyl analogs, such as carfentanil.
The Emerging Threat of Fentanyl Mixed with Xylazine
A non-opioid sedative known as xylazine is increasingly being found in the U.S. illegal drug supply and has been linked to overdose deaths. Xylazine is not approved for human use and can slow brain function and breathing, decrease heart rate, and lower blood pressure. Its combination with opioids like fentanyl presents significant dangers.
