In recent years, many people have become aware of the opioid crisis that is affecting people throughout the United States. Due to the widespread availability of prescription opioid painkillers, many people have become addicted to these drugs, leading them to turn to illegal sources. To make matters worse, fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, has become more available, and this drug has led to many overdoses. In addition to risks that may affect a person’s health and well-being, those who use fentanyl or other substances may face drug charges that could lead to serious criminal consequences.
Counterfeit Drugs Lead to Increased Risks of Overdoses
Fentanyl is a drug that is synthesized in laboratories, and unlike drugs such as heroin, it can be created using chemicals rather than being harvested from natural sources. Because it is much easier to create and distribute, it is highly profitable for drug trafficking rings. Unfortunately, it is also much more dangerous, and it can be 50 times as potent as heroin.
Because fentanyl is typically available in pill form, it is often made available to people who are seeking other types of drugs. Counterfeit versions of opioid painkillers such as Percocet or anti-anxiety medications such as Xanax often contain fentanyl, and those who use these drugs may experience dangerous or lethal overdoses. In many cases, teenagers or young adults are able to obtain these drugs by connecting with dealers through social media apps such as Snapchat or TikTok. Deaths caused by drug overdoses have skyrocketed in recent years, and more than 70,000 people were killed by fentanyl and other synthetic opioids in 2021.
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