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Fentanyl, the drug responsible forÂ*hundreds of overdosesÂ*in the U.S. over the last several months, is expected to become an even bigger public health problem according to experts at a forum that took place July 28 in Philadelphia.
Because it is fifty times more powerful than morphine, fentanyl is easier to smuggle and more profitable to sell than heroin. Demand for the drug is on the rise, and fentanyl is particularly dangerous because of its potency. Even a small error in cutting the drug can result in death for the user.
TheÂ*Philadelphia forum was hosted by the Office of National Drug Control Policy, and ONDCP speakers focused on stopping supply of and reducing demand for the drug, with no official discussion of overdose prevention. However, public health officials from cities that have been hard-hit by fentanyl brought up the issue in question and answer sessions. They highlighted the importance of naloxone, which can be administered to reverse the effects of opiate overdose. They also noted, however, that fentanyl presents a unique challenge because it is so potent--many people die of overdose before emergency medical services arrive on the scene, which heightens the importance of making sure drug users have access to naloxone and training to administer it.
As fentanyl becomes a bigger public health issue, DPA will explore a variety of strategies, such as establishing 911 immunity policies so people do not fear calling for help if a companion overdoses; increasing naloxone availability; and restricting access to the chemicals for manufacturing fentanyl, as ways to reduce the harmful impact of this drug in cities across the country.
http://www.nooked.com/news/itemtrack...0cfa23d61a516e

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Buzzby

This article provoked me to look up something I've been wondering about periodically for a long time: the relative potency of the opiate drugs.

Code:

Opiate                         Potency

Morphine                        1.0

Methadone                       1.0

Propoxyphene (Darvon)           0.05

Codeine                         0.1

Meperidine (Demerol)            0.1

Oxycodone (Percodan)            0.75

Heroin                          4.0

Fentanyl                       80 ~

I find it amusing that the primary focus of the Drug Cops is marijuana, a drug that requires 150 pounds smoked in 15 minutes to produce a fatality in 50 percent of the subjects. (That's why there's never been a toxic fatality from marijuana.)

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dedbr

is used in long term cancer treatment for patient's with intractable pain. It is usually administered with a duragesic patch that is applied to the skin and absorbed thru the patch into the system over a three day period.

The illegal user will open the plastic patch and eat or inject the fentanyl directly into his or her system causing a massive dosage of three days worth of medicine in "one dosage".

This is the cause of most overdoses, the people who use the "patch" don't realize that they are using a three day supply instead of a one day supply or a four hour supply, hence the overdoses.

As with any drug of this kind, tolerances are quickly built up and this is also a big cause of OD's seen in association with this drug.

This is a drug stricly left to the pro's, not for the uninformed!

Just a few friendly words of advice from your dedbr......


Some Where In Ded Land..........

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Though my soul may set in darkness,
It will rise in perfect light.
I have loved the stars too fondly,
To be fearful of the night." Sarah Williams

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