- Opium was used by ancient civilizations as a home remedy for headaches.
- Currently, the most widely used synthetic opioid in the world is fentanyl.
- There are more than 100,000 overdose deaths each year in the United States alone, and most are related to fentanyl.
He fentanyl It has been around for decades but has recently been considered a public health problem because of all the deaths it causes. Although one of the biggest drawbacks is that it is not possible to distinguish that there are two types and while one is very helpful, the second is truly dangerous.
In this sense, the first type is exclusively for medical use and is very useful in hospitals for the treatment of patients with severe pain and terminal illnesses. While the other variant is the one manufactured in clandestine laboratories with materials of zero quality that endanger life.
How did opium use start?
First of all it is necessary to remember that opium is almost as old as humanity. Its use dates back to the 16th century BC and was considered by some civilizations as a home remedy for headaches or as a psychotropic substance. So it was one of the first medicines used in history.
For a long time it was listed as one of the main legal merchandise with a socio-cultural value. While thanks to British colonialism, its trade expanded and scientific advances allowed the development of more powerful substances and efficient administration routes.
Fentanyl is behind most overdose deaths
However, an increasingly serious problem is caused by the opioid overdose. In the United States alone, more than 100,000 fatal cases are recorded each year and the trend continues to rise.
For his part, he The most widely used synthetic opioid is fentanyl. and its impact is constantly increasing. I agree with you US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)overdose deaths have increased by nearly 50 percent over the past two decades.
It also mentions that the pandemic has been identified as one of the main contributors to the latest increase in overdose deaths. However, experts agree that it really only exacerbated a crisis that existed long before the one caused by Covid-19.
Clandestine fentanyl, the real culprit
As already mentioned above, the fentanyl for medical use is essential and in no way can its use be dispensed with. The real problem is the one that is sold illegally on the streets. Although it is too cheap, its use was involved in two out of three overdose deaths in the United States last year.
Also read:
Banning fentanyl for medical use in Mexico is the solution?
Synthetic opioids already cause more overdose deaths than heroin
Fentanyl Overdose Deaths on the Rise in Adolescents and Young Adults