
Fentanyl: A Resource Guide
What is Fentanyl?
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid used medically to treat severe pain, especially after surgery or for cancer patients. It is 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine. While it has legitimate medical uses, illicitly manufactured fentanyl has become a major driver of the opioid crisis, leading to widespread addiction and fatal overdoses.
Where Does Fentanyl Come From?
Illicit fentanyl primarily originates from:
- China:
- Primary source of precursor chemicals: Many of the raw materials used to manufacture fentanyl are produced in chemical labs in China.
- Global trafficking hub: These chemicals are shipped to other countries where fentanyl is manufactured or directly smuggled into the U.S.
- Mexico:
- Manufacturing epicenter: Mexican cartels, such as the Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation Cartels (CJNG), use precursor chemicals from China to synthesize fentanyl in clandestine labs.
- Primary entry point into the U.S.: The majority of illicit fentanyl is smuggled into the U.S. through the southern border, often concealed in vehicles or shipments.
- India:
- Emerging player: India has been identified as a growing supplier of precursor chemicals and, in some cases, fully manufactured fentanyl.
These networks exploit global supply chains and advanced smuggling tactics to distribute fentanyl worldwide, making it difficult to track and stop.
Distribution in the U.S.
Once in the U.S., fentanyl is distributed:
- Through drug dealers who mix it with other substances to increase potency and profits.
- Via counterfeit pills made to look like legitimate prescription drugs (e.g., oxycodone or Xanax).
- Through dark web marketplaces, where it can be purchased anonymously and shipped directly to buyers.
How Much Does Fentanyl Cost?
- Street value: Fentanyl is cheap and highly potent, making it attractive to drug dealers. A single dose can cost as little as $5–$10, but this low cost belies the high risk of addiction and overdose.
- Financial toll: For families and communities, the costs of addiction include emergency medical services, addiction treatment, and the long-term impact of losing loved ones.
How Powerful is Fentanyl?
Fentanyl’s potency is unparalleled:
- A 2-milligram dose of fentanyl (equivalent to a few grains of salt) can be fatal.
- It acts quickly, binding to opioid receptors in the brain, and can cause respiratory depression, leading to death within minutes.
- Its potency also makes addiction and dependence develop rapidly.
Who Uses Fentanyl?
- Accidental users: Many individuals unknowingly consume fentanyl when it is mixed with other substances.
- Chronic pain patients: Some patients misuse legally prescribed fentanyl or obtain it illicitly after prescriptions are stopped.
- Recreational users: Those seeking stronger highs are at high risk of fatal overdose due to fentanyl’s unpredictability.
How Many Are Dying from Fentanyl?
- Overdose deaths: In 2022, over 75,000 deaths in the U.S. were linked to synthetic opioids like fentanyl, making it the leading cause of drug-related fatalities.
- Younger victims: Fentanyl is the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18–45, surpassing car accidents and suicide.
- Unintentional overdoses: Many deaths involve individuals unaware they were consuming fentanyl.
How to Prevent Fentanyl Use and Overdose
- Education: Teach individuals, especially teens and young adults, about the dangers of fentanyl.
- Naloxone access: Naloxone (Narcan) can reverse opioid overdoses if administered quickly. Carry it if you or someone you know is at risk.
- Testing kits: Fentanyl test strips can detect the presence of fentanyl in other substances, reducing accidental overdoses.
- Safe prescribing practices: For patients, ensure opioids are only taken as prescribed, and unused medication is disposed of safely.
- Open communication: Families should discuss substance use risks and provide support for those struggling with addiction.
What Resources Are Available?
- Hotlines:
- Hope Line 1-855-404-HOPE (4673)
- SAMHSA’s National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
- National Overdose Response Service (NORS): 1-888-688-NORS (6677)
- Massachusetts TC Clinical Group CSS 774-539-7695, director@tcclinicalgroup.org
- Adult & Teen Challenge New England and New Jersey 10-12 month program for men and women 508-408-4378, hope@tcnewengland.org
- Treatment centers: Locate addiction recovery services through findtreatment.gov.
- Community support: Groups like Narcotics Anonymous (NA) and Al-Anon offer resources for both addicts and their families.
The Urgency to Act
Fentanyl’s potency and the rapid increase in overdose deaths make it critical to address this crisis. Preventative education, open dialogue, and accessible treatment options can save lives and help individuals and families break free from the grip of addiction.
U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
Families Against Fentanyl
Facing Addiction with NCADD