fentanyl Archives - The Addiction Reporter

Simple Fentanyl Test Strips Can Save Lives

Post author:Michael
Post published:11/03/2023
Post category:News
Reading time:5 mins read

As I recently discussed on San Diego News Station KUSI, fentanyl is cheap to make and is up to 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine.

Fentanyl causes a euphoric high and therefore has been mixed in with cocaine, heroin, meth, benzodiazepines, and other street drugs. The unpredictable potency of these concoctions has made the already dangerous activity of taking opioids to become unbelievably risky. When a batch of extra-strong fentanyl is unleashed in a city, there can be a rational overdoses that kills many people in a matter of days.

Fentanyl Test Strips Can Greatly Increase Safety

Some public health experts are now experimenting with fentanyl test strips, which give users a means for testing the their drugs before taking them. One of the proponents in this effort is Emily Siqveland who serves as Arlington County, Virginia’s Opioids Program Manager. The …

Border Patrol Nabs Largest Fentanyl Bust Ever

Post author:Melissa
Post published:02/08/2019
Post category:News
Reading time:3 mins read

Last week, the federal government announced one of the largest fentanyl drug busts ever, containing 254 pounds of the synthetic drug.

The bust occurred at the Nogales, Arizona border onboard a truck that hid the pills under cucumbers. Alongside the powerful opioid, there was also 354 pounds of methamphetamine. Both drugs have been on the rise in America the past few years, with fentanyl deaths outpacing other opioid deaths rapidly. At its current pace, according to US Customs and Border Control, the opioid epidemic kills ninety people a day.

The fentanyl in the seizure is valued $3.5 million and is twice the size of a haul discovered in a truck stopped by state troopers in Nebraska in 2017.

Fentanyl is quickly becoming one of the deadliest opioids in the United States, and it often comes to the US via China, passing through US Customs undetected. Last year, the opioid task …

Fentanyl-Cocaine Combo Causing Deaths in MD

Post author:Melissa
Post published:07/28/2018
Post category:News
Reading time:2 mins read

In Maryland, the government has been doing its best to fight the addiction crisis, but they’re not yet winning: in 2017, the number of fatal overdoses increased 9%. Most of these overdoses (90%) were considered to be opioid-induced, with Fentanyl overdoses increased by 42 percent last year, rising from 1,119 in 2016 to 1,594. Fentanyl is a drug that is 50 times stronger than heroin and is typically used in a medical setting. When added to other street drugs, it can be deadly, especially if novice opioid users are taking the drug. In Maryland, they have discovered that a fentanyl-cocaine combination of drugs is causing deaths. Between 2015 and 2016, cocaine deaths doubled because of this lethal combination.

The Maryland Department of Health Secretary Rober R. Neall called the increase in fentanyl-related deaths “staggering.” Officials think that the overdose deaths of cocaine containing fentanyl were accidental; the user may …

Canada Struggling With Influx of Fentanyl

Post author:Michael
Post published:11/07/2016
Post category:Uncategorized
Reading time:2 mins read

Canada has been recently inundated with Fentanyl, which is an incredibly potent opiate painkiller that is very popular with those addicted to narcotics.

Recently, one article in particular seems to encapsulate how serious the problem is: A Killer High: How Canada Got Addicted to Fentanyl.

This article chronicles the pain suffered by the survivors of those who overdose, and also features excellent reporting about how easy it is to obtain the drug online.…

Synthetic Heroin Claims More Lives – Banff Canada

Post author:Michael
Post published:05/03/2011
Post category:Uncategorized
Reading time:4 mins read

This past weekend two people died, and a third almost succumbed to a fatal overdose one in a separate incident almost died. The city of Banff in Canada had just recently released in the local paper “Bannffshire Journal” a warning of the dangers of a synthetic drug being passed of as heroin.

The Bannffshire Journal highlighted and put out the warning because of a man that was found dead from overdose by using the synthetic heroin. Investigation on the two male deaths, are uncertain whether the synthetic drug was involved.

“We would remind those in our communities who use heroin of the inherent dangers associated with taking any form of controlled drug. This has sadly become all too evident given the tragic loss of life in the Banff area over the past few days.” said Inspector Andy Imray, Grampian Police substance misuse coordinator.…

Fentanyl – Very Much in Demand by Opiate Addicted Individuals

Post author:Michael
Post published:04/02/2011
Post category:Uncategorized
Reading time:4 mins read

Fentanyl is a powerful prescription drug that is used to manage pain. This synthetic opiate analgesic is prescribed to people who have just had surgery or who suffer from chronic pain. It may also be given to people who have demonstrated tolerance to other opiates. Fentanyl is similar to morphine but is about 80 times more potent.

The Dangers of Fentanyl Abuse

The U.S. Department of Justice classifies Fentanyl as a Schedule II drug, meaning it has a high tendency for abuse. This prescription drug has not received as much focus has other painkillers like OxyContin, Vicodin and Percocet, but it is just as dangerous. According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, illicit use of Fentanyl has been a problem since the mid-1970s.

In prescription form, Fentanyl is sold under the names Actiq, Sublimaze, Isntanyl and Duragesic. On the street, it is referred to by a variety of names including …