Fentanyl Overdose Deaths Surge in the US Amidst Fourth Wave of Opioid Crisis
The United States is experiencing a devastating surge in fentanyl overdose deaths as the fourth wave of the opioid crisis engulfs communities across the nation. This crisis has claimed the lives of countless Americans, including Sean Blake, who died from a fentanyl overdose in Burlington, Vermont, in 2017.
According to a study conducted by researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), the use of fentanyl has drastically redefined drug overdoses in the US over the past decade. In 2021, for the first time ever, drug overdoses killed over 100,000 people in a single year, with more than 66% of those deaths being attributed to fentanyl. In contrast, a decade ago, less than 10% of drug overdose deaths were tied to fentanyl.
The rise of illicitly manufactured fentanyl has led to an overdose crisis of unprecedented magnitude in the US, according to the study. Fentanyl has spread across every corner of the country, affecting states from Hawaii to Alaska to Rhode Island. Initially, the rise in fentanyl-related deaths was observed in 2015, with death rates sharply increasing as fentanyl became part of the drug supply in the Western US in 2019.
The study also highlights another concerning trend – an increase in deaths related to the use of fentanyl in combination with other stimulant drugs such as cocaine or methamphetamine. These combinations have led to higher death rates in northeastern US states like Vermont and Connecticut, where cocaine has been more readily available. However, in other regions like West Virginia and California, deaths were primarily driven by the use of both methamphetamines and fentanyl.
The devastation caused by fentanyl and other drug combinations is not confined to any particular race or ethnicity. Previously seen as a “white problem,” African Americans are now dying at higher rates due to fentanyl and other drug combinations. Rasheeda Watts-Pearson, a harm reduction specialist, has been working to raise awareness about the impact of fentanyl on the African American community in Cincinnati, Ohio. She notes that marketing campaigns designed to address the opioid crisis have overlooked the experiences of black Americans, and emphasizes that fentanyl has infiltrated the black community, leading to unknowing usage and dependency.
Experts have labeled the use of fentanyl in combination with other drugs as the “fourth wave” of the overdose crisis in the US. However, treatment options for substance use have not kept up with this rapidly evolving crisis. Current treatments often focus on one drug at a time, despite many individuals using multiple substances. Advocates argue for a treatment system that is more comprehensive and readily available, with options such as overdose prevention sites where individuals can use drugs safely and under supervision.
For Kim Blake, whose son Sean lost his battle with substance use disorder, the fight continues to ensure that other families do not suffer the same loss. She urges compassion and understanding for those struggling with substance use, emphasizing that most individuals do not want to die. Through her advocacy work, she hopes to create a more supportive system that provides timely and long-term treatment options for those in need.
The fentanyl crisis in the US is a harrowing reality that demands immediate attention and action. As the fourth wave of the opioid epidemic crashes through every community, it is crucial for policymakers, healthcare providers, and communities to come together to address this crisis and save lives.