Fentanyl: The hidden danger in opioids and other drugs

On any given day, while scrolling through social media, an internet search, or watching the news, there is likely a story of a drug-related crime, overdose, or death. It seems unavoidable, or it sure feels that way.

Like much of the Lower 48, Alaska has been battling opioid abuse for years, declaring it a public health emergency in 2017. Despite a brief decline in overdoses and deaths in 2018, the trend has climbed upwards since 2019.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) reported 134 deaths in Alaska from overdoses as of October 2020. One year later, that number nearly doubled to 233. In the same data analysis, Alaska had the most significant percentage jump in overdose deaths than any other state, 78%, while the national average increase was 12%. It is too early to know how many of those overdoses were related to Fentanyl. Preliminary data suggests that 6 of every 10 deaths from overdoses is related to Fentanyl, according to Alaska’s Department of Health and Human Services.

So what is Fentanyl? According to the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) website, Fentanyl is a synthetic, or manufactured, opioid 50-100 times stronger than morphine. Initially developed by pharmaceutical companies, Fentanyl was prescribed for pain management treatment of cancer patients and applied as a patch on the skin. The powerful opioid properties of Fentanyl are added to heroin to increase its potency or disguised as highly potent heroin. As little as 2 milligrams can be lethal.

Because Fentanyl is an opioid, it produces feelings of euphoria, relaxation, confusion, and drowsiness. It is cheaper and easier to obtain than heroin and is frequently used as a cutting agent (substance meant to dilute illegal drugs) or filler for heroin.

Overdose may result in stupor, cold and clammy skin, bluish tint to the skin, coma, and respiratory failure leading to death.

Jennifer Filley, an Epidemiology Specialist with the State of Alaska Office of Substance Misuse and Addiction Prevention (OSMAP), stressed that preliminary data indicates a 141% increase in overdoses due to Fentanyl, “it’s the worst on record that we’ve seen.”

“Users think they are getting heroin or whatever drug, and come to find out they’re getting Fentanyl,” Michael Carson, Chair of the Mat-Su Opioid Task Force, said. “This is what leads to overdoses and deaths.”

Elana Habib, Health Specialist with OSMAP, noted that there has been an uptick in Fentanyl laced substances.

“It’s not just in heroin or opioids, but is in everything,” she said during a video call.

It is a statement that Carson certainly agrees with:

“People need to know that Fentanyl is everywhere-that everything should be thought of as having been contaminated with Fentanyl.” He likens Fentanyl to “opioid Roulette.”

It boils down to what officials with different agencies stress more than the alarming numbers, that Fentanyl is everywhere.

“It’s in everything,” Filley stated.

Indeed, Fentanyl is cheaper and easier to manufacture, making it easy to obtain. It also has a huge profit margin compared with other illegal substances such as cocaine. It is mainly undetected, so users don’t realize they have taken it.

“The first time could be the last. A total crapshoot with lethal consequences. The only drugs that are safe now come directly from a doctor or licensed pharmacist,” Carson said.

Habib advises several precautions if someone uses opioids.

“Do not mix with stimulants, do not combine opioids with other substances, do not take more than what is prescribed, and do not use alone,” he said.

There are other steps people can take to prevent overdoses, including having Narcan available, using Fentanyl test strips, and, if someone has overdosed, calling 911.

“People are afraid to get involved if they see someone has overdosed. The Good Samaritan law is in place to protect [you], so be compassionate and help them,” Haabib said.

Fentanyl test strips and Narcan may be obtained by contacting Project Hope directly. A complete list of where to get Narcan is found on the state’s opioid web page.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Katie Stavick at katie.stavick@frontiersman.com