DEA Warns of Fentanyl-Carfentanil Mix Harder to Reverse With Narcan
Summary
The DEA warns that a new dangerous mix of fentanyl and carfentanil is appearing in illegal drugs. This mixture is much stronger and harder to treat with Narcan, a medicine used to stop opioid overdoses.Key Facts
- Carfentanil is a synthetic opioid used as an elephant tranquilizer and is 100 times stronger than fentanyl.
- It is often mixed with fentanyl in fake pills and powders, increasing overdose risks.
- The DEA found carfentanil in 37 states, with overdose deaths rising sharply from 29 in early 2023 to 238 in early 2024.
- Carfentanil is very deadly; even a tiny amount (0.2 milligrams) can be fatal.
- Narcan, which reverses opioid overdoses, may not work well against carfentanil due to its strength.
- The drug cannot be identified by sight because it comes in many colors.
- The DEA’s Miami lab handles many drug samples because the city is near major drug smuggling routes.
- First responders face higher risks because carfentanil overdoses require larger or multiple doses of Narcan.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.