

Ten western states reported a 98 percent increase in fentanyl-related deaths. The data also found 18 of these jurisdictions showed increases greater than 50 percent.

jurisdictions reporting on synthetic opioid data showed significant increases in opioid-related overdose deaths. The figures increased a staggering 38.4 percent in a 12-month period from June 2019 to May 2020. While we attempt to overcome this, we need to find ways to battle drugs like fentanyl, which have overwhelmed the system and caused even more heartache during a challenging period.įentanyl, a synthetic opioid, is the main driver behind the increase in overdose deaths.

It’s vital to take care of those suffering from unintended consequences.

As we battle to end the pandemic, we can’t lose sight of how specific groups like addicts are being affected. Although authorities placed stricter requirements to get prescription opioids, fentanyl use ramped up dramatically.ĬDC Director Robert Redfield, M.D., has noted how the pandemic’s disruption of life hit those with substance use disorders (SUDs) the hardest. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that 81,000 drug overdose deaths occurred in the United States in 2020, which was the highest number of overdose deaths ever recorded in a 12-month span. Our country took a significant backslide when it came to treating the crisis. While we had seen modest progress in terms of overdoses from year to year, the coronavirus pandemic accelerated overdose deaths during COVID-19. The Scope of Fentanyl UseĪs we navigate our way through these challenging times, we’re looking for a way to resolve the national opioid crisis. But what happens if you smoke fentanyl? Can you overdose from smoking fentanyl? Is snorting fentanyl more dangerous? Learn more about the dangers of snorting and smoking fentanyl. Recreational drug users take drugs in various ways, including intravenous injection, snorting, swallowing, and smoking. It’s a powerful opioid used to treat pain quickly, but it can also be a deadly illicit drug found all over the illicit drug market. Fentanyl is one of the most dangerous drugs used for medical and recreational purposes in the United States.
