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Newly-Deadly Drug Carfentanil Causes Deaths in 37 States
Health officials are warning about a drug that is 100 times more potent than fentanyl, which has caused deaths in 37 states in recent years. Carfentanil, a derivative of fentanyl, was originally designed to tranquilize elephants and is the most potent commercial opioid on the market.
According to a CDC report, there were 513 overdoses from carfentanil between January 2021 and June 2024, with Florida and West Virginia being the hardest hit. While the overall numbers are low, officials are concerned because the total has increased seven-fold in the past year, threatening to reverse a recent drop in drug overdoses.
Carfentanil comes in various forms, including powder, paper, tablet, patch, and spray, and can be inhaled, ingested, or absorbed through the skin. As little as 2 milligrams, equivalent to one 50th of a pinch of salt, of the drug can be lethal, slowing breathing to dangerous levels and leading to brain damage or death.
The CDC report found that seven in 10 drug overdose deaths in the US in 2023 involved fentanyl or one of its derivatives like carfentanil. Florida and West Virginia were the only two states with more than 20 deaths linked to the drug, followed by Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New York, and Ohio, which reported 10-19 deaths over an 18-month period.
The CDC warns that if carfentanil continues spreading, overdose deaths could substantially increase. The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) recommends anyone who has been exposed to the drug seek immediate medical attention, as early symptoms may include drowsiness, disorientation, pinpoint pupils, slowed breathing, and clammy skin.
