A drug 100 times more potent than fentanyl is silently infiltrating America’s streets, and it’s killing people at an alarming rate.
At a Glance
- Carfentanil, originally designed to tranquilize elephants, is causing a surge in overdose deaths across 37 states
- Overdose deaths involving carfentanil increased sevenfold from 29 in early 2023 to 238 in early 2024
- As little as 2 milligrams of carfentanil can be lethal, making it 10,000 times more potent than morphine
- The CDC warns that carfentanil threatens to reverse recent progress in reducing overall drug overdose deaths
- Naloxone can potentially reverse carfentanil overdoses if administered quickly
The Silent Killer Infiltrating Our Streets
Just when we thought the fentanyl crisis couldn’t get any worse, along comes its bigger, badder cousin: carfentanil. This elephant tranquilizer is now showing up in street drugs across America, and it’s leaving a trail of bodies in its wake. The CDC, in its infinite wisdom, has finally decided to sound the alarm on this super-opioid that’s 100 times more potent than fentanyl. Let that sink in for a moment – 100 times more potent than the drug that’s already ravaging our communities.
The numbers are staggering. In just one year, carfentanil-related overdose deaths have skyrocketed by 720%. That’s not a typo, folks. We’ve gone from 29 deaths in early 2023 to a whopping 238 in early 2024. And this isn’t just happening in one or two states – this poison has spread to 37 states across our nation. It’s like watching a slow-motion train wreck, except the train is full of our sons, daughters, friends, and neighbors.
Traces of carfentanil have been found in the Bronx. Carfentanil is 10,000 times more potent than morphine; 5,000 times more potent than heroin; and 100 times more potent than fentanyl, the leading cause of drug deaths in the US.
I am calling upon the DEA to dismantle the… pic.twitter.com/oZ03SX9ulS
— Rep. Ritchie Torres (@RepRitchie) September 21, 2024
A Lethal Dose Smaller Than a Grain of Salt
Here’s the kicker: it takes just 2 milligrams of carfentanil to kill a person. That’s about the size of a few grains of salt. This stuff is so potent that it can be absorbed through the skin or inhaled accidentally. Imagine a first responder trying to help an overdose victim, only to become a victim themselves. It’s a nightmare scenario that’s becoming all too real.
“We see it on the streets, often disguised as heroin. It is crazy dangerous. Synthetics such as fentanyl and carfentanil can kill you. I hope our first responders – and the public – will read and heed our health and safety warning.” – Chuck Rosenberg
The DEA isn’t mincing words about the danger. They’re warning that carfentanil is often disguised as heroin on the streets. So now, not only do we have to worry about fentanyl-laced drugs, but we’ve got this elephant tranquilizer masquerading as street heroin. It’s like playing Russian roulette, except all the chambers are loaded.
The Government’s Band-Aid Solution
So what’s the CDC’s brilliant solution to this crisis? Naloxone. That’s right, they’re putting their faith in an overdose reversal drug that may or may not work fast enough to save lives from this super-opioid. It’s like bringing a squirt gun to a forest fire. Sure, naloxone has saved lives, but when we’re dealing with a drug this potent, it’s hardly a foolproof solution.
“Overdose prevention efforts that address widespread presence of IMFs, including carfentanil, and can rapidly adapt to other potent opioids in the drug supply, might result in lasting reductions in overdose deaths across the United States.” – Tanz LJ, Stewart A, Gladden RM, Ko JY, Owens L, O’Donnell J
The CDC report warns that if carfentanil continues to spread, “overdose deaths could substantially increase.” No kidding, Sherlock. We’re talking about a drug that’s 10,000 times more potent than morphine. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that more carfentanil means more deaths.
The Real Solution: Secure Our Borders
Here’s what the CDC won’t tell you: the real solution to this crisis starts at our borders. These deadly synthetic opioids are pouring into our country through our porous southern border. But instead of focusing on border security, we’re busy handing out naloxone and hoping for the best. It’s like trying to bail out a sinking ship with a teaspoon while ignoring the gaping hole in the hull.
We need to wake up and smell the carfentanil, folks. This isn’t just a drug problem; it’s a national security issue. Every gram of this poison that crosses our border is a potential death sentence for an American citizen. It’s time to stop playing politics with people’s lives and start taking real action to protect our communities.
Until we get serious about securing our borders and cracking down on the cartels that are flooding our streets with these lethal substances, no amount of naloxone or government warnings will stem the tide of death washing over our nation. It’s time for real solutions, not more bureaucratic hand-wringing. Our lives, and the lives of our loved ones, depend on it.
