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| − | '''Fentanyl''' is "a synthetic opioid that is 80-100 times stronger than morphine. Pharmaceutical fentanyl was developed for pain management treatment of cancer patients, applied in a patch on the skin. Because of its powerful opioid properties, Fentanyl is also diverted for abuse. Fentanyl is added to heroin to increase its potency, or be disguised as highly potent heroin. Many users believe that they are purchasing heroin and actually don’t know that they are purchasing fentanyl – which often results in overdose deaths. Clandestinely-produced fentanyl is primarily manufactured in Mexico."<ref>https://www.dea.gov/factsheets/fentanyl</ref> It is currently in Schedule II of the Controlled Substances Act<ref>https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/schedules</ref>, meaning that while highly addictive, dangerous and restricted, it is recognized as medically useful for the treatment of pain in extreme cases. | + | '''Fentanyl''' is "a synthetic opioid that is 80-100 times stronger than morphine. Pharmaceutical fentanyl was developed for pain management treatment of cancer patients, applied in a patch on the skin. Because of its powerful opioid properties, Fentanyl is also diverted for abuse. Fentanyl is added to heroin to increase its potency, or be disguised as highly potent heroin. Many users believe that they are purchasing heroin and actually don’t know that they are purchasing fentanyl – which often results in overdose deaths. Clandestinely-produced fentanyl is primarily manufactured in Mexico."<ref>https://www.dea.gov/factsheets/fentanyl</ref> It is currently in Schedule II of the Controlled Substances Act,<ref>https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/schedules</ref> meaning that while highly addictive, dangerous and restricted, it is recognized as medically useful for the treatment of pain in extreme cases. |
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| | In Canada, law enforcement officers carry a drug that acts as an antidote to fentanyl, as even skin exposure to the powder can be lethal.<ref>https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/xw333j/fentanyl-is-so-dangerous-that-cops-now-carry-an-antidote-in-case-they-touch-it</ref> | | In Canada, law enforcement officers carry a drug that acts as an antidote to fentanyl, as even skin exposure to the powder can be lethal.<ref>https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/xw333j/fentanyl-is-so-dangerous-that-cops-now-carry-an-antidote-in-case-they-touch-it</ref> |
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| | + | ==Illegal Uses== |
| | + | Illegal fentanyl pours over the southern [[open border]] and causes more than 50,000 deaths annually in the [[United States]]. Sen. [[Mark Kelly]] (D-AZ) is being criticized for this by his opponent [[Blake Masters]] in the [[2022 midterm elections]]. |
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| | ==Medicinal Uses== | | ==Medicinal Uses== |
| | Fentanyl is usually an opiate of last resort, used when a patient is highly tolerant to most other opiates including morphine.<ref>https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/308156.php</ref> When used in accordance with a doctor's orders and properly prescribed, it can be safe for patients recovering from extreme pain, or in cases of terminal cancer. | | Fentanyl is usually an opiate of last resort, used when a patient is highly tolerant to most other opiates including morphine.<ref>https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/308156.php</ref> When used in accordance with a doctor's orders and properly prescribed, it can be safe for patients recovering from extreme pain, or in cases of terminal cancer. |
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| − | ==Illegal Uses==
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| − | Illegal fentanyl pours over the southern [[open border]] and causes more than 50,000 deaths annually in the [[United States]]. Sen. [[Mark Kelly]] (D-AZ) is being criticized for this by his opponent [[Blake Masters]] in the [[2022 midterm elections]].
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| | ==References== | | ==References== |