Fentanyl is a legal prescription drug meant to alleviate severe pain, like chronic cancer pain or pain from surgery. Still, it is also considered a dangerous drug due to its high potential for abuse and fatal overdoses. However, this drug is being illegally produced and distributed for its euphoric, relaxing effects on the brain and body.
According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, there were over 67,000 drug overdose deaths in 2018, and 70% of those deaths involved the use of opioids. Although street drugs like heroin usually get most of the attention when it comes to addiction and fatal drug overdoses, the use of fentanyl and other synthetic opioids is rising at an alarming rate. In 2017, 59% of opioid-related deaths involved the use of fentanyl, compared to 2010, when the rate was just 14%.
The fentanyl crisis is a growing public health concern in the United States, with devastating consequences for individuals, families, and communities. Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, is 50-100 times more potent than morphine, making it a highly addictive and deadly substance. The crisis is fueled by the widespread availability of illicit fentanyl, which is often mixed with other drugs or sold as counterfeit pills.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), synthetic opioids, including fentanyl, are the primary driver of overdose deaths in the United States. In 2020, there were over 30,000 overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids, with fentanyl being the leading cause. The CDC also reports that the number of overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids increased by 12% between 2019 and 2020.
The fentanyl crisis is a complex issue that requires a comprehensive approach to address. It involves not only the illicit drug trade but also the pharmaceutical industry, healthcare providers, and law enforcement agencies. The crisis highlights the need for increased awareness, education, and resources to combat the opioid epidemic and prevent overdose deaths.
How Does Fentanyl Work to Treat Severe Pain?
Pharmaceutical fentanyl is a synthetic opioid prescribed by doctors to treat severe pain, but its illegal counterpart is often produced in clandestine labs.
In general, fentanyl acts the same way other opioids do, which is by binding itself to opioid receptors in the brain, spinal cord, and other organs in the body—especially those involved in feelings of pain and pleasure. When this happens, the opioids block messages of pain sent from the body through the spinal cord to the brain, creating a sense of deep relaxation and euphoria.
What Makes Fentanyl Different from Other Synthetic Opioids?
Fentanyl is 50–100 times more potent than morphine, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Due to its high potency, even a tiny amount of fentanyl can be a lethal dose, making it extremely dangerous for users. In comparison, methadone is roughly 3 times stronger than morphine, and heroin is about 5 times stronger.
Fentanyl is so potent that it’s measured in micrograms instead of milligrams. It takes about 30 milligrams of heroin to kill an average-sized adult male, but only 3 milligrams (or 3,000 micrograms) of fentanyl to do the same. This enormous difference in potency is what makes fentanyl users so susceptible to overdosing.
One other defining attribute of fentanyl is how quickly it can bind to opioid receptors and take action. This almost immediate effect is one of the reasons why it’s so dangerously addictive, and the reaction can happen so fast that users may not be able to recover in time from the overdose.
Why Is Illicit Fentanyl So Dangerous?
Fentanyl is easy to make, easier to ship, and is more compact than other drugs, making it extremely dangerous when combined with other drugs like cocaine, methamphetamine, MDMA, and heroin. This means that users may not know if the street drugs they are purchasing contain fentanyl, resulting in more unintentional overdoses.
All opioids also create what is known as respiratory depression. This means that when someone takes an opioid, their breathing could slow so much that they end up dying. With fentanyl, this can occur at a much smaller dose than other opioids and will happen much faster.
Addiction to any opioid can result in a tolerance to be built up in the brain. However, with fentanyl, since it crosses the blood-brain barrier so rapidly, a tolerance is built up quicker than with other opioids. Once a tolerance starts to build, the user will require larger and larger doses to get the same euphoric high, making fentanyl prime for a risk of overdose.
The Impact of Fentanyl on Communities
The fentanyl crisis has a disproportionate impact on specific communities, particularly those with limited access to healthcare and socioeconomic resources. Older Black men, for example, are disproportionately affected by the overdose crisis, with higher rates of overdose and death due to various factors, including socioeconomic status and access to healthcare.
The root causes of this disparity are complex and multifaceted, including systemic racism and lack of access to healthcare. Addressing the overdose crisis requires a comprehensive approach that takes into account the unique needs and challenges of affected communities.
Furthermore, the fentanyl crisis has a significant impact on local economies and healthcare systems. The cost of treating overdose patients and providing emergency services is substantial, and the crisis puts a strain on already limited healthcare resources. The crisis also affects local businesses and communities, with the loss of loved ones and the economic burden of the crisis having a ripple effect on the community.
Effective Interventions and Solutions for Fentanyl-Related Drug Problems
To address the fentanyl crisis, effective interventions and solutions are needed. One approach is to increase access to medication-assisted treatment (MAT), such as methadone, which can help individuals with opioid use disorder manage their symptoms and reduce their risk of overdose. However, access to methadone is often limited, particularly in rural areas and communities of color.
Another approach is to implement harm reduction strategies, such as providing naloxone to individuals at risk of overdose and increasing access to safe injection sites. These strategies can help reduce the risk of overdose and death while also providing a pathway to treatment and recovery.
Law enforcement agencies also play a critical role in addressing the fentanyl crisis. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is working to disrupt the illicit fentanyl trade while also providing resources and support to individuals struggling with addiction. Pharmaceutical companies are also taking steps to address the crisis, including developing new treatments and increasing access to existing medications.
Ultimately, addressing the fentanyl crisis requires a comprehensive and multifaceted approach that involves not only healthcare providers and law enforcement agencies but also communities and individuals. By working together, we can reduce the risk of overdose and death while also providing support and resources to those struggling with addiction.
Louisiana Penalties for Fentanyl Possession Amid Rising Drug Overdose Deaths
Any unlawful possession of fentanyl in the state of Louisiana is charged as a felony. If you are arrested for fentanyl possession in Louisiana, you could face:
- Two to ten years in prison for holding anywhere between two and 28 grams
- Five to 40 years at hard labor (incarceration at a state prison) for over 28 grams
- Probation
- Loss of the right to own or carry a gun
Any criminal charge that results in a felony can remain on your criminal record for the rest of your life and may show up on future background checks for as long as you seek employment. Having a felony charge could also limit your ability to find housing and enjoy other privileges. Please do not take a felony drug charge in Louisiana lightly when there may be a way to reduce its impact on your life.
Contact an Experienced Louisiana Drug Defense Attorney
Prosecutors in Louisiana take criminal drug offenses very seriously in Louisiana. Refrain from taking a gamble on being punished to the full extent of the law. Hire an experienced Louisiana drug defense lawyer who will fight to ensure that you receive the least possible punishment for your case.
With over 25 years of experience, Attorney Eric Johnson of the John D. & Eric G Johnson Law Firm knows how to build an effective defense for your drug case. Call (318) 377-1555 or complete our online contact form for a confidential consultation. We look forward to meeting you, working together, and fighting to protect your rights and best interests. Please contact us for support during this challenging time.