On March 18, 2015, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) issued a nationwide alert warning of the dangers of fentanyl and fentanyl analogues/compounds. Fentanyl, which is commonly found laced in heroin, is causing significant problems across the country.
In their press release, the DEA noted that Fentanyl is a Schedule II narcotic used as an analgesic and anesthetic and is the most potent opioid available for use in medical treatment. It is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine and 30 to 50 times more potent than heroin and is potentially lethal, even at very low levels. Ingestion of doses as small as 0.25 mg can be fatal. Its euphoric effects are indistinguishable from morphine or heroin.
The DEA warned law enforcement that fentanyl can be absorbed through the skin and that accidental inhalation of airborne powder can also occur. The DEA is concerned that law enforcement may come into contact with fentanyl on the streets during the course of performing the duties of their jobs, such as during a sting operation.
“Drug incidents and overdoses related to fentanyl are occurring at an alarming rate throughout the United States and represent a significant threat to public health and safety,” stated DEA Administrator Michele M. Leonhart. “Often laced in heroin, fentanyl and fentanyl analogues produced in illicit clandestine labs are up to 100 times more powerful than morphine and 30 to 50 times more powerful than heroin. Fentanyl is extremely dangerous to law enforcement and anyone else who may come into contact with it.”
Leonhart added that the “DEA will continue to address this threat by directly attacking the drug trafficking networks producing and importing these deadly drugs. We have lost too many Americans to drug overdoses and we strongly encourage parents, caregivers, teachers, local law enforcement and mentors to firmly and passionately educate others about the dangers of drug abuse, and to seek immediate help and treatment for those addicted to drugs.”
Medical personnel and first responders should be on the lookout for patients, including law enforcement officials, who may have had contact with this dangerous drug so that they can be treated accordingly.
For more information about the DEA’s warning, you can read the full press release. You can also get more information about fentanyl by visiting http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_chem_info/fentanyl.pdf
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