Elephant Tranquilizer Carfentanil Spikes Overdose Deaths in 37 States

Health officials are issuing stark warnings about a drug far more potent than fentanyl that has claimed lives in 37 states. Carfentanil, a derivative of fentanyl initially developed to tranquilize elephants, is considered the most powerful commercial opioid, with a potency so dangerous that even minimal exposure can be fatal.

Chuck Rosenberg, Acting Administrator of the DEA in 2016, previously cautioned, “We see it on the streets, often disguised as heroin. It is crazy dangerous. Synthetics such as fentanyl and Carfentanil can kill you. I hope our first responders—and the public—will read and heed our health and safety warning.” His warning remains disturbingly relevant as overdose cases involving Carfentanil continue to rise.

According to a CDC report released today, 513 Carfentanil-related overdoses occurred between January 2021 and June 2024, with states like Florida and West Virginia hardest hit. While these numbers might seem small compared to other drug crises, the steep sevenfold increase in just the past year raises serious concerns. Experts fear this trend could reverse recent progress in curbing drug overdose deaths.

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Carfentanil appears in various forms—powder, pills, patches, and sprays—and is often laced into other drugs like counterfeit pills and xylazine, increasing its reach and danger. Just 2 milligrams, roughly the weight of a few grains of salt, can slow breathing to a lethal degree, causing brain damage or death. The DEA reports that the drug is 100 times more potent than fentanyl and a staggering 10,000 times stronger than morphine.

The CDC’s findings highlight that seven in ten overdose deaths in 2023 involved fentanyl or its derivatives, underscoring the ongoing dangers posed by synthetic opioids. Between 2021 and mid-2024, over 250,000 overdose deaths were recorded, with 74% linked to fentanyl-related substances. However, while the overall number of overdoses declined quarter by quarter last year, Carfentanil-related fatalities have been steadily climbing.

Florida and West Virginia reported the highest number of Carfentanil-related deaths, with over 20 fatalities in each state during an 18-month period. Other states, including Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, and Michigan, reported between 10 and 19 deaths in the same timeframe. If the spread of Carfentanil continues unchecked, the CDC warns overdose deaths could surge to unprecedented levels.

The origins of the drug remain murky, but the CDC suggests it is being illegally manufactured rather than diverted from legitimate sources. For instance, a 2021 drug bust in Southern California uncovered 21 kilos of Carfentanil in the possession of two individuals, Christine Ponce and Andres Jesus Morales.

Originally synthesized in 1974 for veterinary use on large animals like elephants and bears, Carfentanil works by targeting the same brain systems as oxycodone, heroin, and codeine. Dealers mix it into their supplies to make their drugs more potent and addictive, further fueling the crisis.

Health experts stress the importance of immediate medical intervention in suspected overdoses. Early symptoms of Carfentanil exposure include disorientation, pinpoint pupils, slowed breathing, and clammy skin. If left untreated, these symptoms can quickly escalate to respiratory failure or death. The timely use of naloxone, an FDA-approved overdose reversal medication, can save lives when administered promptly.

Carfentanil represents a grim new chapter in America’s drug crisis. Its emergence as a public health threat underscores the ever-evolving tactics of illicit drug manufacturing and distribution. Without decisive action, the ripple effects of this deadly substance could upend hard-won progress in combating the opioid epidemic.

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