The activity of taking drugs (usually illegally) to get high eliminates the concern of whether or not it went through any sort of quality control. Most people who use drugs to change their feelings expect that the product will do that for them, but they always know some batches are better than others. However, today the issue is less of potency and more of whether or not your cocaine bindle or the Xanax pills you bought are even the drugs at all. Illegal drugs are now being sold pretending to be the buyer’s drug of choice because of Fentanyl. The new cause for concern is Fentanyl based. Drug dealers are selling FAKE DRUGS that include Fentanyl posing as cocaine, an assortment of pills, methamphetamine, heroin, ecstasy, and the list goes on. Drug dealers who sell fake drugs are nothing new, and many people have been burned; what is different is that the ingredients are now lethal.
Why Is Fentanyl Used To Make Fake Drugs?
In simple terms, Fentanyl is a powerful artificial opioid drug. Since it is synthetic, it is cheap to produce and very addicting. The reason drug dealers use Fentanyl to cut drugs or pose as a different drug is that the user may not get wired as they wanted from the cocaine (or another drug) they thought they were buying, but they will get high. Fentanyl causes a massive surge of endorphins and dopamine, making a person feel sedated and relaxed. Therefore, the drug dealers use Fentanyl because it is cheap and will get someone high. But, even more importantly, Fentanyl can cause addiction after only one use- and they will get repeat customers for a long time.
Correlation Between Fentanyl and Other Street Drugs
The National Institute of Drug Abuse published information on Fentanyl years ago, referencing the trend of Fentanyl laced heroin. It now states that other drugs are being cut with Fentanyl, which is very dangerous.
Some drug dealers are mixing fentanyl with other drugs, such as heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, and MDMA. This is because it takes very little to produce a high with Fentanyl, making it a cheaper option. This is especially risky when people taking drugs don’t realize they might contain Fentanyl as a cheap but dangerous additive. They might be taking stronger opioids than their bodies are used to and can be more likely to overdose. (NIDA)
More From the Government About Fake Drugs
In September 2021, the Drug Enforcement Agency released a public warning message about the massive amount of Fake Drugs flooding the country, presenting a variety of pills. They urge drug users not to buy fake pills, causing instantaneous death.
Mexican criminal drug networks are mass-producing illicit Fentanyl and fentanyl-laced fake pills, using chemicals sourced largely from China, and are distributing these pills through U.S. criminal networks. These fake pills are designed to appear nearly identical to legitimate prescriptions such as Oxycontin®, Percocet®, Vicodin®, Adderall®, Xanax®, and other medicines. Criminal drug networks sell these pills through social media, e-commerce, the dark web, and existing distribution networks. As a result, these fake pills are widely available. (DEA)
Overdose Death Rate from Fake Drugs
The rates of death that occur because of overdose have never been higher. The global pandemic is the main reason many people began using more drugs since they were at home more or taking new drugs because drug cartel shipments became scarce in the middle of covid. Fake drug overdose is hard to determine as many counterfeit drugs still have the real ingredients inside them, and the data on fake drugs is not available. However, the overdose rates from any real or fake drug are still extremely alarming. Therefore, the Centers for Disease Control made the information on this public.
Over 81,000 drug overdose deaths occurred in the United States in the 12 months ending in May 2020, the highest number of overdose deaths ever recorded in 12 months, according to recent provisional data. (CDC)
Get Help For Fake Drug Addictions At Evoke Wellness in Massachusetts
If you or a loved one is using drugs, they are still addictive and dangerous, even fake. Evoke Wellness at Cohasset provides quick entry to advanced drug addiction programs that are personalized for each patient. We provide medically supervised detox from all drugs and alcohol and provide in-depth therapy, behavioral therapies, and holistic treatments. We have helped addicts get into rehab the same day, change their lives for the better, and remain in recovery. Call now for access and information.
