The recent deadly impact of carfentanil, a synthetic opioid far more powerful than fentanyl, has prompted an urgent nationwide warning from health officials and the CDC.
Numerous states report a drastic rise in fatalities due to this lethal substance, originally intended for tranquilizing large animals, Mail Online reported.
Researchers first synthesized carfentanil in 1974, designing it to sedate large mammals like elephants due to its extreme potency. It is 100 times more potent than fentanyl and 10,000 times more than morphine. Even a minuscule amount of 2 milligrams, about a 50th of a pinch of salt, can prove fatal for humans.
Carfentanil comes in various forms, including powder, tablets, patches, and spray. Dealers often mix it clandestinely with other substances like xylazine or disguise it as heroin or cocaine, making it incredibly dangerous due to its high potency and unpredictable effects.
Addiction risks skyrocket when carfentanil appears in a drug mix, as dealers try to boost potency while minimizing costs. Experts primarily blame this adaptation in street drugs for the sharp rise in overdose deaths.
From January 2021 to June 2024, the US recorded 513 carfentanil-linked overdoses, with the majority occurring in the last year. Florida and West Virginia stood out as the states most affected by these deadly incidents.
The CDC tracks these cases through a detailed national system that examines death certificates, coroner's reports, and toxicology findings. The CDC has reported a troubling increase in deaths, particularly amidst a general decline in drug overdose figures nationwide.
In 2021, law enforcement took significant action, seizing 21 kilos of carfentanil in Riverside County, California. This seizure highlighted the widespread availability and distribution of this hazardous drug.
The CDC reports an unsettling statistic: Over two years, fentanyl or derivatives like carfentanil were involved in 74% of 251,089 drug-related deaths. In 2023 alone, these potent opioids were responsible for 63,734 deaths across America.
This spike in fatalities correlates with the illegal manufacture of fentanyl. Unlike legitimate pharmaceuticals, these synthetic opioids are not diverted from legal sources but are produced unlawfully, intensifying the crisis.
Responding to this menacing trend, health officials emphasize the continuous change in illegal drug components, which undermines efforts to curb overdose deaths. “Recent sharp increases in overdose deaths with carfentanil detected, although rare, highlight the ever-changing illegal drug supply and threaten progress in reducing overdose deaths,” CDC officials stated.
The danger of carfentanil on the streets has been succinctly summarized by Chuck Rosenberg, former Acting Administrator of the DEA: “We see it on the streets, often disguised as heroin. It is crazy dangerous. I hope our first responders—and the public—will read and heed our health and safety warning,” he said.
This situation has put first responders on high alert, necessitating updated training and resources to safely handle potential carfentanil overdoses, which can be unpredictable and exceedingly dangerous even in small quantities.
In conclusion, the emergence of carfentanil as a significant player in opioid-related deaths marks a pressing public health issue. The community, law enforcement, and health professionals must continue to collaborate and adapt strategies to combat this potent drug's spread and mitigate its fatal impacts.
