Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 times more potent than heroin. It's responsible for most of the overdose deaths we are seeing currently in the United States.
It's enormously dangerous because its often mixed with other drugs, making overdoses much more likely. Sometimes users have no idea they are taking it, until it is too late.
Survivor, Nathan Morris
Nate Morris spent much of his life hustling on the streets of Washington, D.C., making a living by selling counterfeit jewelry. Over the years, his frequent encounters with the law resulted in multiple arrests and time spent in prison. "I overdosed on Fentanyl approximately a year before my eight-year-old son was born, and it took four shots in my legs to bring me back. I didn't know why the God of my understanding allowed me to continue on. But later on, and now I know without a doubt, is because I unknowingly had a child on the way." In 2022, Nathan Morris published a book titled, An Open Letter to My Sons, and the Power of Prayer, which explores his journey of raising two sons.
A Fentanyl Crisis in Portland, Oregon
The city of Portland, Oregon, saw a record number of overdoses in the past year. The police department reported 548 cases. As prescription opioids became harder to obtain due to stricter regulations, many users turned to heroin since it was cheaper and more accessible. The introduction of fentanyl into the drug supply further fueled those overdose deaths.
Dr. Edwin Chapman- Advocating for Addicts
Dr. Chapman has practiced in Washington, D.C., for over 40 years, specializing in Internal Medicine. He has studied the complex interplay of addiction, mental illness, infectious diseases, criminal behavior, and chronic diseases, which contribute to patients having life expectancies 20-25 years shorter than average. Many overdose victims suffer from mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The lack of access to mental health care exacerbates addiction issues and increases overdose risks.