Impact of Fentanyl Crisis in the US

The fourth wave refers to the surge in fentanyl overdose deaths across the United States.

Fentanyl is 50 times more powerful than heroin.

Most of the illegal fentanyl found in the US is trafficked from Mexico using chemicals sourced from China.

<p>Before the fentanyl crisis, drug overdose deaths were mostly driven by the use of heroin or prescription opioids.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The author shares the story of Kim Blake's son Sean, who died from an accidental fentanyl overdose at the age of 27.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>In 2021, the US witnessed a grim milestone where drug overdoses killed more than 100,000 people for the first time ever in a single year.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The rise of illicitly manufactured fentanyl.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Virtually every corner of the US has been touched by fentanyl, from Hawaii to Alaska to Rhode Island.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The rise in fentanyl-related deaths was first observed in 2015.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>In 2018, around 80% of fentanyl overdoses happened east of the Mississippi river, but in 2019, fentanyl became part of the drug supply in the Western US, leading to an increase in death rates there.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The researchers sounded the alarm on the growing trend of deaths related to the use of fentanyl and another stimulant drug, like cocaine or methamphetamine.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>In northeastern US states like Vermont and Connecticut, deaths were primarily driven by the use of fentanyl and cocaine, where cocaine has been traditionally more available. But for virtually everywhere else, deaths were primarily driven by the use of both methamphetamines and fentanyl.</p> Signup and view all the answers