The Deadly Reality of Fentanyl: A Growing Epidemic

💀Fentanyl, 50 times more powerful than heroin, is causing a record number of drug poisonings and overdose deaths in the US.

💊Young people are often buying fake prescription pills like Vicodin or Percocet, not realizing they contain fentanyl.

🌎Mexican drug cartels dominate the worldwide distribution and supply chain of fentanyl.

📱Social media platforms like Snapchat have become channels for drug dealers to sell fentanyl.

🔬Test strips and Narcan are effective tools for detecting and reversing fentanyl overdoses.

What is fentanyl?

—Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 times more powerful than heroin. It is often used as a prescription painkiller but is now commonly found in counterfeit pills sold on the illicit drug market.

How is fentanyl being distributed?

—Mexican drug cartels are primarily responsible for distributing fentanyl worldwide. They have a stronghold on the fentanyl distribution and supply chain.

What role does social media play in fentanyl distribution?

—Social media platforms like Snapchat have become avenues for drug dealers to sell fentanyl. They use emojis and discreet language to communicate with potential buyers.

What are test strips, and how do they help prevent fentanyl overdoses?

—Test strips are tools used to detect the presence of fentanyl in drugs. They provide users with information about the contents of the drugs they are about to consume, allowing them to make informed decisions.

What is Narcan, and how does it reverse a fentanyl overdose?

—Narcan, also known as naloxone, is a medication used to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. It blocks the effects of opioids on the body and can quickly restore normal breathing in someone experiencing an overdose.

00:00Fentanyl, a deadly synthetic opioid, is causing an overdose epidemic in the United States.

02:26Mexican drug cartels are responsible for the distribution and supply chain of fentanyl.

03:52Social media platforms like Snapchat are being used by drug dealers to sell fentanyl.

04:17Test strips are effective tools for detecting the presence of fentanyl in drugs.

06:58Narcan, a medication used to reverse opioid overdoses, can save lives in cases of fentanyl overdose.