SIX YEARS AGO, I posted an article on this blog titled Fentanyl Becomes Deadly Force. It said, “The deadly heroin and opioid epidemic is expected to become even deadlier with the increasing presence of Fentanyl in America.” During the first quarter of 2017, heroin combined with Fentanyl was detected in 61% of opioids seized for evidence and inspected in DEA labs. So far in 2023, laboratory testing indicates 70% of pills seized by DEA contain a lethal dose of fentanyl. DEA has already seized a record 86 million fentanyl pills in 2023, which exceeds the 2022 total of 58 million pills.1 Fentanyl is being illegally manufactured in labs (primarily in China) at extremely low cost. It is produced in powder form, and is also pressed into pills, and smuggled into the United States. U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Border Patrol and Office of Field Operations (OFO) together seized 27,000 pounds of fentanyl at the southern border to the U.S. in 2023, up from 14,700 pounds in 2022.
More Americans than ever are dying from fentanyl overdoses as the fourth wave of the opioid epidemic crashes through every community, in every corner of the country.
The DEA Laboratory System reported in 2022 that approximately 23% of fentanyl powder and 7% of fentanyl pills seized by the DEA contained xylazine.3 Xylazine is called “tranq” on the streets because of its powerful tranquilizing effects. It is currently approved for use as a non-opioid tranquilizer in veterinary medicine, most commonly in cats, dogs, horses, sheep, and cattle. It is not a controlled substance in the United States because it is manufactured for veterinary anesthesia purposes. Heroin and/or fentanyl used with tranq typically causes a zombie-like effect in humans. (See “Philadelphia Kensington Ave.”)
According to North Jersey Recovery Center, tranq is one of the most dangerous drugs on the street.4 Tranq tends to amplify the effects of opioids. Because of this, dealers often add it to opioids to give buyers a stronger high as a way to secure repeat business. Serious side effects of abusing tranq include blurry vision, increased blood sugar levels, slow or ineffective breathing, slower heart rate, low blood pressure, coma, and death. Because tranq slows blood flow in the body, wounds are slow to heal, which leads to infection, necrosis, and limb amputations. Naloxone (Narcan) will not reverse the effects of tranq, so there is no quick intervention technique available in the streets for use by first responders for overdose.
Society continues to see drug addicts as “undesirables” who should Just quit already! The saying “there but for the grace of God go I” does not seem to apply to addiction because most people are convinced they will never become addicted to drugs or booze. I know from personal experience that it’s easy to shame and condemn myself without the help of my family, friends, and neighbors. So, it is critical that we work toward reducing and eliminating stigma related to substance use disorders. The shame associated with drug addiction will not go away on its own. It must be addressed head on.
The solution is redemption, both on a societal and a personal level. Redemption, even at its simplest definition, means saving or being saved from the sin and error of one’s lifestyle. As Christians in recovery, our redemptive work with alcoholics and drug addicts must mirror the ministry of Jesus Christ. Never once did He consider Himself above the sick and suffering, the prostitutes and adulterers, or anyone else. He considered no one “less desirable.” The first step in this any any ministry is love.
Steven Barto, BS Psy, ThM
If you or someone you know is struggling with active addiction, help is close at hand. The SAMHSA National Helpline is 1-800-662-4357.
References
1 DEA, “One Pill Can Kill,” https://www.dea.gov/onepill
2 Christian Penichet-Paul, “Illicit Fentanyl and Drug Smuggling at the U.S.-Mexico Border: An Overview, National Immigration Forum, Oct. 25, 2023, retrieved Dec. 3, 2023, https://immigrationforum.org/article/illicit-fentanyl-and-drug-smuggling-at-the-u-s-mexico-border-an-overview/
3 DEA,”DEA Reports Widespread Threat of Fentanyl Mixed with Xylazine,” (n.d.), https://www.dea.gov/alert/dea-reports-widespread-threat-fentanyl-mixed-xylazine
4 North Jersey Recovery Center, “The Harmful Rise & Effects if Tranq Dope,” April 7, 2022, retrieved Dec. 4, 2023, https://northjerseyrecovery.com/harmful-rise-effects-tranq-dope/
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