Jefferson County ACT Facts
February 4, 2019
During 2013-2014, the number of drug products confiscated by law enforcement that tested positive for fentanyl increased by 426%. The numbers continue to rise every year.
Fentanyl is a drug used treat severe pain and it is now the deadliest drug in America. According to a study released in December almost 30% of all overdose deaths nationwide involve the use of fentanyl.
Many of these deaths are accidental.
Fentanyl is commonly used to lace heroin but has also been found in cocaine and meth. It has also been found in counterfeit prescription drugs like alprazolam, codeine and morphine.
Pop star Prince died of an accidental fentanyl overdose after taking counterfeit medication laced with the drug
Looking for more information?
Check out these sources to learn more about the FACTS.
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr67/nvsr67_09-508.pdf
https://emergency.cdc.gov/han/han00395.asp
https://whitesandstreatment.com/2017/03/27/fentanyl-laced-street-drugs/