The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has issued a public warning about the health and safety risks of carfentanil, a powerful opioid that is sold as and mistaken for Heroin.
This synthetic opioid is 10,000 times more potent than morphine and 100 times more potent than fentanyl, which itself is 50 times more potent than heroin. Carfentanil is a Schedule II controlled substance used as a tranquilizing agent for elephants and other large mammals; it is not approved for human use.
The DEA, local law enforcement and first responders have recently seen the presence of carfentanil, which has been linked to a significant number of overdose deaths nationwide.
“Carfentanil is surfacing in more and more communities.” said DEA Acting Administrator Chuck Rosenberg in the release. “We see it on the streets, often disguised as heroin. It is crazy dangerous. Synthetics such as fentanyl and carfentanil can kill you.”
Improper handling of the drug, as well as fentanyl and other fentanyl-related compounds, has deadly consequences.
The DEA warns that carfentanil, and other fentanyl-related compounds, are a serious danger to public safety, first responders and laboratory personnel adding the substances can come in several forms, including powder, blotter paper, tablets, spray and can be absorbed through the skin or accidental inhalation of airborne powder.
Symptoms, which usually manifest within minutes of exposure, include respiratory depression or arrest, drowsiness, disorientation, sedation, pinpoint pupils, and clammy skin.
It is recommended that first responders exercise extreme caution when ecountering carfentanil or other synthetic opioids and be ready to administer the rescue agent nalozone if exposure should occur.
Source: US Pharmacist