America has a crisis in Fentanyl related deaths. In the year of 2022, an average of 22 teens died every week from drug overdoses, and the drug being primarily Fentanyl. This statistic doesn’t even include the adult statistics, of which are also very high. Fentanyl is now the leading cause of death in persons aged 18-45. What is Fentanyl and how is it getting to our kids?
What is Fentanyl?
Fentanyl was originally synthesized by Dr. Paul Janssen, a Belgian chemist, in 1960. Dr. Janssen was the founder of Janssen Pharmaceutica, a pharmaceutical company that has since become a part of Johnson & Johnson.
It was developed as a potent analgesic pain reliever for use in medical settings. It was intended to address the need for a strong, fast-acting painkiller to be used in surgeries. It is considered 100 times for potent than morphine.
It is a synthetic opioid, meaning it is chemically manufactured rather than derived from natural sources like morphine or codeine, which come from the opium poppy. Dr. Janssen’s work involved modifying the chemical structure of existing opioids to create a more powerful and efficient painkiller.
Fentanyl was initially introduced as an intravenous anesthetic under the brand name Sublimaze. Its potency and effectiveness quickly made it a valuable tool for which it was created, and particularly for surgical procedures and severe pain conditions. It is still used today in hospitals and clinics.
How did Fentanyl start getting to our kids?
Over the years, various formulations of Fentanyl have been developed legally including transdermal patches, pills, lozenges, nasal sprays, and even lollipops.
Like the natural opioids family, synthetic Fentanyl was prescribed, and fairly easy to get, thus became addictive. Its potency makes it extraordinarily dangerous if misused.
The illegal production and distribution of Fentanyl began to escalate in the early 2000’s. The first major wave of fentanyl-related deaths occurred in 2005-2007, largely due to Fentanyl being mixed with or sold as heroin.
The most dangerous aspect of this drug is that it is commonly laced within other drugs. Even a pin size amount added to something else will make the drug more potent and euphoric. It became hidden, so overdose was probable. In addition, when mixing Fentanyl with another drug, it becomes another layer of lethal. A person may want to experiment with a Xanax pill, however unless its been received directly from a pharmacy, the chance of the Xanax pill being laced with Fentanyl is high.
Where is Fentanyl produced and distributed?
Fentanyl is still used in medical settings so it is manufactured both legally and illegally, with production occurring in different parts of the world.
Legal Production:
- Pharmaceutical Companies: Legally, Fentanyl is produced by pharmaceutical companies in highly regulated facilities with locations all over the world. In all of these countries there is a government agency such what we have in the U.S., the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Some countries regulations are higher than others.
Illegal Production:
- Clandestine Labs: A significant amount of the Fentanyl involved in the current opioid crisis is produced illegally in clandestine labs. These labs are often located in countries where regulation and enforcement are less stringent than what we have in the U.S. For many years, China was the major source of illegal Fentanyl although Chinese authorities have cracked down on production in recent years and production has simply shifted to other regions.
In recent years, Mexican drug cartels have become producers of illicit fentanyl. They will import precursor chemicals from China or other countries and manufacture the drug in makeshift labs. The finished product is then smuggled into the United States and other countries.
Both legal and illegal Fentanyl involves complex global supply chains. While pharmaceutical Fentanyl is distributed through regulated channels like hospitals and pharmacies, illegal fentanyl is trafficked through smuggling routes. The two different supply chains cross into each other. The potency of euphoria and pain relief created the demand.
How is it so easy for our kids to get?
Kids are usually getting Fentanyl thinking they are getting another drug completely. They have access to buying the pills, patches, lozenges, nasal sprays, etc., through “friends” and social media. It is often bought as a Percocet, Oxycodone or Xanax, however the real source is often unknown. The accidental ingestion of Fentanyl contaminated counterfeit pills is the most common reason for overdose.
What are the signs of Fentanyl use?
Fentanyl causes relaxation and a feeling of euphoria. You might notice drowsiness, confusion, disorientation, dizziness, clammy skin, slurred speech, impaired coordination or nausea. One of the most distinctive signs of any opioid use is unusually smaller pupils and not responsive to light. You may see the behavior of euphoria with an atypical level of happiness, along with apathy and mood swings.
How to stop a Fentanyl overdose.
If you are concerned in the slightest bit, it would be prudent to keep a drug called Naloxone or Narcan at home. Naloxone is the prescription and Narcan nasal spray is over the counter. Schools usually keep these on hand, however it could be worth asking to make sure.
Most importantly, educate your teen about Fentanyl and how fatal it can be.
How can we be a part of the solution?
There are two days dedicated to Fentanyl awareness in the US, listed on dea.gov. August 21st is National Fentanyl Awareness and Prevention Day and May 7th is National Fentanyl Awareness Day.
An informational, short film for the efforts of combatting this crisis has been created called “The New Drug Talk”. It is a must see.
If you notice your teen struggling with substance use and could use some direction, please schedule a call with me, Rae Guyer, your therapeutic consultant.
© Therapeutic Educational Consulting
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