Synthetic Drugs and Their Derivatives Fuel Overdose Deaths in US

1. Synthetic Drugs and Their Derivatives Fuel Overdose Deaths in US Synthetic Drugs and Their Derivatives Fuel Overdose Deaths in US “Gray death is one of the scariest combinations that I have ever seen in nearly 20 years of forensic chemistry drug analysis.” – Deneen Kilcrease, Georgia Bureau of Investigation A new and deadly drug coined as “gray death” has taken the center stage in America’s long struggle against opioid abuse. Compared to other drugs, even a small amount of gray death can be fatal. With at least 50 overdose incidents in the past few months, this amped-up street drug has baffled authorities in American states like Indiana, Ohio, Georgia and Alabama. As a drug that is 10,000 times more potent than morphine, gray death is a combination of multiple illicit opioids, such as fentanyl, carfentanil and synthetic opioid U-47700. Since each ingredient is more potent than heroin, it emerges as one of the deadliest combinations in the American drug scene. The drug gets its name from its ashy color that resembles dry concrete mix and has also been reported to be found in forms of chunks, rocks and fine powder. There are various ways by which the drug can affect the brain. It can be smoked, orally snorted and However, little is known about the drug. The fact that its composition and ingredients change from batch to batch, drug labs across the United States have also found inconsistency and residues of other opioids and heroin. ingested, injected. More to come The appearance of this and similar drugs may provide some valuable insight into the changing tides in the illegal drug market. Traditional drugs like morphine and heroin are processed from the poppy plant Papaver somniferum. However, it requires infrastructure like factory equipment, land, labor and time for the plant to mature. In addition, such operations also need to evade detection from law enforcement agencies and choose appropriate drug channels to distribute the merchandise. This process is expensive, risky and time-consuming. One of the reasons for the rise of new types of lethal drugs is the fact that the drug production processes have augmented and diversified into new realms with the advancement in www.sovtexas.com

2. technology. Since manufacturers are now focusing on developing new kinds of drugs that have the potential to produce a much higher level of euphoria, opioid-based drugs now may not always come from the poppy fields in Latin America but from the unregulated drug labs located halfway across the world. Due to this drastic shift from natural to synthetic drugs, manufacturing requires less space, time, manpower, and resources to produce and evade detectability more efficiently than the traditional methods. Furthermore, high demand for drugs in America at a time when law enforcement agencies have cracked down heavily to regulate the distribution of drugs, it has further accelerated the demand for artificially manufactured opioids. As a result, an increased number of overdose deaths in recent years has occurred in tandem with the rise of synthetic opioids. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) believes that these drugs are originating from the overseas laboratories, singling out China as the largest producer and supplier of unknown and untested drugs in the country. Naloxone, the best bet Gray death has been responsible for a number of overdose cases, including deaths, across many states. This extremely potent drug now poses a major public health concern as it works swiftly and any delay in medical help can prove fatal. In addition, gray death is a drug that does not get metabolized immediately. Due to its high lipid solubility, it can pass through fatty tissues through the pores of the skin. This poses another risk, especially to individuals who handle or consume the drug. However, Narcan, the brand name for naloxone, is effective in reversing the above effects. Unlike other drug overdose cases, gray death victims could potentially require more than one shot of naloxone to reverse the opioid effects. Unfortunately, naloxone is not widely available, it requires a prescription and different naloxone laws in different states make it a time-consuming process to acquire this “rescue shot” in bulk. Don’t let drugs destroy dreams Over 52,000 American lives were lost due to the fatal drug overdoses in 2015, including over 33,000 deaths due to opioids. Unfortunately, the opioid epidemic is picking up momentum yet again as more and more unregulated substances are being distributed across the nation. Moreover, the advent of even more potent drugs is making it difficult for the law enforcement agencies to keep an appropriate check. Sovereign Health of Texas offers continuum care and high-quality treatment services for individuals dependent on various drugs and wish to take control of their lives. If you or your loved one is battling drug addiction or looking for treatment for addiction, you can get in touch with us. Our addiction treatment centers are some of the finest in the nation that are tailored to meet an individual’s unique needs. Call us at our 24/7 helpline number (866) 283- 6305 to know more about the treatment options near you. www.sovtexas.com