Fentanyl has killed thousands if not millions of Americans. What makes this drug so dangerous?
- Potency: Fentanyl is extremely potent, up to 100 times stronger than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin. Even small amounts can lead to overdose and death.
- Rapid Onset: Its potency means it can quickly overwhelm the body’s opioid receptors, leading to respiratory depression and potentially fatal overdose within minutes.
- Illicit Use: Fentanyl is frequently mixed with other drugs like heroin or cocaine, often without the user’s knowledge. This increases the risk of accidental overdose due to the unpredictability of its presence and potency.
- Highly Addictive: Like other opioids, fentanyl is highly addictive. Continued use can lead to physical dependence and tolerance, increasing the likelihood of overdose as users require higher doses to achieve the same effects.
- Difficult to Detect: Fentanyl’s potency means that even small amounts can have a significant impact, making it difficult for users to gauge safe dosages. Additionally, its chemical structure is easily modified, leading to numerous analogs that may not be detectable through traditional drug tests.