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By Christine Thomas
Every year, a drug called fentanyl kills tens of thousands of Americans, which is way more than car accidents or gun violence.
According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), fentanyl is the leading cause of death for people between the ages of 18 and 45. Yet most of these people, especially the youth, don’t fully understand where it comes from, how it gets into the country, or what is being done to stop it.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid, meaning it is made entirely from chemicals rather than plant sources. It was originally created for medical use to treat severe pain in cancer patients, but illegal versions have flooded communities across the United States.
What makes it so uniquely deadly, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, is its potency 2 milligrams, roughly the size of a few grains of sand, is enough to cause a fatal overdose. It is often pressed into fake pills designed to look exactly like common prescription medications.
The vast majority of fentanyl is smuggled into the United States at ports of entry from official, legal border crossings. Roughly four in five people caught smuggling fentanyl at the southern border were U.S. citizens, many of them recruited or coerced by cartels and offered money to drive a car through a checkpoint. Smugglers hide the drug in various places that can seem inconspicuous, whether that be tire rims, dashboards, or shoes.
However, not every shipment is caught, and fentanyl can get mixed into other drugs, making it difficult for people to know when they are exposed to these lethal doses. Because fentanyl is colorless, odorless, and tasteless, the biggest risk factor is the source, anything not from a pharmacy can be dangerous.
Signs of an overdose include slow or stopped breathing, unconsciousness, and blue lips/fingertips. When someone overdoses, call 911 immediately, and use naloxone (Narcan), which can reverse opioid overdoses, if available.
Fentanyl is a dangerous threat that affects everyday people and decisions. Because it is nearly impossible to detect, awareness is the best protection.
Knowing the risks, recognizing overdose signs, and acting quickly can save lives. Staying informed is essential in preventing further tragedies.
This article was written as part of a program to educate youth and others about Alameda County’s opioid crisis, prevention and treatment options. The program is funded by the Alameda County Behavioral Health Department and the grant is administered by Three Valleys Community Foundation.
