Katie Harris examines fentanyl, a synthetic prescription drug 100 times more potent than morphine. Video / NZ Herald / Getty / NZ Drug Foundation
Fentanyl is a synthetic prescription drug similar to morphine but 100 times more potent originally synthesized by jensen pharmaceutical in 1959 fentanyl is commonly used for treating severe pain and trauma in terminal cancer patients and as an anesthetic in surgery this pharmaceutical form of fentanyl can be administered via a patch on the skin similar to a
Nicotine patch as an injection or as a lozenge or lollipop but it is also illegally made in labs and sold as a recreational drug this clandestine fentanyl is often produced as a white powder or made into pills that look like other prescription opioids it has been found in drugs sold as mdma cocaine methamphetamine and heroin where it is used by drug dealers as
A way of increasing potency because fentanyl is 50 times more potent than heroin a much smaller amount of product can produce a similar effect for the user meaning more profits for drug dealers unfortunately fentanyl’s high potency also means that even a small amount can prove deadly with a lethal dose of fentanyl being equivalent in size to two grains of rice
If the user isn’t aware the drugs they’ve bought have been adulterated it can easily lead to an overdose fenjana has played a key part in the opioid crisis seen across north america and europe including in the number of deaths from overdoses the u.s center for disease control and prevention reported that from may 2020 to april 2021 more than 100 000 americans died
From drug overdoses with over 64 of these deaths being due to synthetic opioids like fentanyl and its analogues until recently new zealand has largely avoided the title the opioid crisis has taken in the u.s but experts warn that if fentanyl were to more widely infiltrate the illegal drug scene in new zealand we will be grossly underprepared the new zealand drug
Foundation has been calling for wider distribution of fentanyl testing kits along with a life-saving medication called nalaxone for years drug users are able to use fentanyl test strips as one way of ensuring the drug isn’t in these substances but access to these tests has been limited only available to purchase through the hemp store and the new zealand needle
Exchange store or by visiting a pop-up drug testing centre likewise nalaxone a treatment which reverses opioid overdose effects and has saved countless lives overseas is costly and up until recently was only available on prescription there is now a nasal spray version of this medication that people can take home with them but it’s not publicly funded in new zealand
And costs around 92 dollars for a single use kit thanks for checking out our youtube channel to stay up to date with all the latest news from the new zealand herald click the subscribe button below or check out one of the videos here and head over to nz herald dot co dot nz for more details on these stories and more
Transcribed from video
What is Fentanyl? | nzherald.co.nz By nzherald.co.nz
