The Origins and Impact of Fentanyl

Fentanyl, developed in 1959 as a legitimate alternative to morphine, has evolved into a major synthetic opioid contributing to the ongoing drug crisis. The drug's potency is alarming, with just a minimal amount—equivalent to two grains of rice—being able to cause an overdose. In 2021, a staggering 110,000 people died from drug overdoses in the United States, with 72% of these deaths attributed to synthetic opioids such as fentanyl. This widespread issue reflects a concerning trend in which various drugs, including cocaine and fake prescription pills, are increasingly adulterated with fentanyl, often without users' knowledge.