Have you ever heard of a drug called fentanyl? Well unfortunately we live in a world where especially now you need to be aware of it for your own safety. Fentanyl is a narcotic or an opioid and according to the US Drug Enforcement Administration(DEA), it’s 80-100 times stronger than morphine. It was originally made to treat cancer patients for their pain. Fentanyl is often added to heroin to increase its potency.  Users then believe that they are purchasing heroin and are unaware that they are purchasing fentanyl, leading to an accidental overdose death. It can provide desired effects such as relaxation, euphoria, pain relief, and sedation. These are the desired effects that cause people to become addicted. 

Fentanyl can already be risky while a patient is taking their prescribed amount given to them by a medically licensed doctor, however, even though they were not abusing the drug they can still experience withdrawals. Now imagine how severe the consequences of a person consuming fentanyl and being unaware that they are taking it. They’re unaware of the high potency and this is what is leading to the overdoses. Users are clueless about what drug they are taking and their body is receiving a drug that it’s not used to and won’t be able to handle. It is being sold as throat sprays, powders, and pills that look like they are legitimate prescription medication.

The DEA’s information regarding the issue of fentanyl includes;

According to the CDC, synthetic opioids (like fentanyl) are the primary driver of overdose deaths in the United States. Comparison between 12 months-ending January 31, 2020, and the 12 months-ending January 31, 2021, during this period:

• Overdose deaths involving opioids rose 38.1 percent.
• Overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids (primarily illicitly manufactured fentanyl) rose 55.6 percent and appear to be the primary driver of the increase in total drug overdose deaths. 

This outbreak is, unfortunately, affecting even the most innocent members of society. As reported by WBTV on October 30, 2021, an 11-month old baby in Chester County, died and the autopsy revealed that the cause of death was an overdose from fentanyl. The grandmother Sharon Jordan(55) was the legal guardian of the baby and is being charged with unlawful child neglect while the mother, Joyce Strover(33) is being charged with the murder of her poor child.

There was sadly another case similar to this luckily with a happier ending. As reported by CBS42 in Jefferson County, a one-year-old baby was found by the Jefferson County deputies, unresponsive. Luckily they had been told that the possible overdose was being caused by fentanyl and immediately took action by using Narcan to resuscitate the baby. The baby began to breathe again and was brought to their Children’s Hospital. The mother, Jeanette Lashay Bell (31) admitted that her baby ingested her drug paraphernalia.

The issue is so severe that the DEA issued a public safety alert on September 27, 2021, concerning the “sharp increase of fake prescription pills laced with fentanyl”

Provided by American Addiction Centers, their response to the question of “What happens during a fentanyl overdose?” Their responses included;

• A person’s lips immediately turn blue
• Gurgling sounds with breathing
• Stiffening of the body or seizure-like activity
• Foaming at the mouth
• Confusion or strange behavior before the person becomes unresponsive

If there is any time that someone offers you any kind of medication, do not take it unless you are 100% aware of where it came from and what is inside. Being cautious never hurt anyone but not being aware and consuming fentanyl can hurt you. Tread with caution and be smart.