Weapons-grade chemical carfentanil surges as dangerous substitute for fentanyl
Summary
Carfentanil, a chemical much stronger than fentanyl and morphine, is becoming more common in the U.S. drug supply. This has led to many deaths, as some users accidentally take the drug thinking it is something else like cocaine.Key Facts
- Carfentanil is about 10,000 times stronger than morphine and 100 times stronger than fentanyl.
- It has caused hundreds of deaths among drug users who did not know they took it.
- The rise in carfentanil use is related to China cracking down on chemicals used to make fentanyl, which has reduced fentanyl's purity.
- Drug traffickers in Mexico may be adding carfentanil to fentanyl to increase its strength.
- In 2025, U.S. drug seizures found carfentanil 1,400 times, up from 145 in 2023 and 54 in 2022.
- Even a tiny amount of carfentanil, smaller than a grain of salt, can be fatal.
- Narcan, a medicine used to reverse opioid overdose, may not save someone who takes carfentanil because it is so strong.
- Authorities warn that carfentanil's return creates new dangers for people who use drugs.
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