2024-10-06 13:25:10
He fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is claiming the lives of many people in the United States. Also known as the ‘zombie way’it is not difficult to understand the reason when observing its devastating effects on those who consume it. However, What exactly makes up this substance and why is it legal in most countries? In this note, we will provide you with all the necessary information about this drug and its illicit use on the streets.
What is fentanyl?
According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), the fentanyl is a synthetic opioid used by doctors in the treatment of pain, which is up to 50 times more powerful than heroin and 100 times more powerful than morphine. Medical professionals prescribe it to relieve severe pain, especially after operations and in advanced stages of cancer: its pharmaceutical use approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
In August 2022, Colombia’s Early Warning System issued the first alarm regarding the misuse of fentanyl in Bogotá and Cartagena. Photo: diffusion.
Currently, there are two production modalities for this drug: one intended for legitimate medical purposes and another illicitly manufactured (IMF) for distribution in the drug market. The latter is usually combined with other illicit substances, such as cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine, in order to enhance their effects more pronounced.
What does the drug fentanyl do?
The CDC, according to the latest research, states that fentanyl is connected to the majority of overdose deaths in the United States. This substance operates by binding to opioid receptors located in areas of the brain, inhibiting those responsible for regulating pain and enhancing those that secrete dopamine, so its use can trigger sensations of intense happinesslethargy, nausea, confusion, sedationrespiratory depression, loss of consciousness, coma or death.
How do drug addicts consume fentanyl?
Unfortunately, the fentanyl has become one of the most widespread drugs, since its versatility allows its administration by injection, inhalation, smoking or ingestion in pill form. This flexibility in its consumption is closely linked to the addiction it causes: its various forms constantly adjust to the environment.
By: La República Peru