The Rise of Fentanyl: Exploring its Impact on the Opioid Epidemic

Overdose as a result of illicit synthetic opioids continues to rise. In the United States, Fentanyl-related overdose is spreading in new geographic zones such as the western United States. The use of polysubstance, such as the combination of a stimulant and opioid has been one of the reasons behind the increase in overdose incidents caused by stimulants. Medical consequences of drug use through injections also continue to increase and include hepatitis C and HIV infections. The use of medication to treat the disorder relating to opioids is still the standard of care as other treatment techniques continue to be explored.

The Rise of Illicit Fentanyl

The dangers of fentanyl are undisputable. Globally, fentanyl has been linked to deaths in Sweden, Latvia, Estonia, and other parts of Europe. Canada, in particular, has been significantly hit by overdose incidents linked to fentanyl. In the United States, the spread of fentanyl remains a major problem for the country’s healthcare system, with the western US being the most recently affected region. According to data from CDC, the cases of death due to overdose of synthetic opioids in the United States that can be attributed to seven western jurisdictions increased threefold from 2017 to 2019. Furthermore, it has also been established that the supply of fentanyl to the West has increased due to the availability of this substance in the form of counterfeit pills.

Appeal Risk

The appealing feature of fentanyl and its fentanyl exposure symptoms is its potency which offers an immediate and intense high to the user. In most cases, fentanyl is used by individuals who seek pain relief and/or euphoria. Nevertheless, the euphoria sought by users often presents major risks because most people who use fentanyl do not know the actual strength of the substance they are consuming. Such ignorance is what often results in the overdose and eventual death. Fentanyl’s illegal production and distribution make the issues associated with it even more complicated because it’s often combined with other substances, resulting in unprecedented outcomes for users.

Deaths and Fatalities

The increased use of fentanyl has led to a significant increase in the number of deaths and fatalities associated with opioids. Scientific research has established that the drug’s potency is what causes fatal overdoses in fentanyl, resulting in increasing cases of mortality related to opioids. The availability of this drug in illicit markets has made it easily accessible to users, making it difficult to deal with outcomes associated with its use.

Treatment Issues

Various public health approaches have been formulated to help deal with the opioid overdose crisis. Among these approaches include the implementation of stigma-reduction campaigns, reform of the criminal justice system, and implementation of treatment and harm reduction plans. The use of medication to treat opioid disorders has also been shown to be quite effective.

Final Word

The rise in fentanyl is a threat to public health not only in the US but across the world. Dealing with this problem requires a comprehensive approach, including leveraging evidence-based treatment among other measures such as the prevention of use and utilizing harm-reduction techniques.