health United States
Synthetic drugs reshape the overdose crisis in the United States
110,000people
Americans died from overdoses at the peak of the crisis in 2022
A BBC report examines how fentanyl, animal tranquilisers and other synthetic drugs are changing drug use and overdose patterns in Columbus and Chicago, while complicating treatment and law enforcement.
1 sourceBBC NewsUpdated
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- 110,000people
Americans died from overdoses at the peak of the crisis in 2022
“At its peak in 2022, 110,000 Americans were dying from overdoses, mostly from opioids.”
- 70,000people
Americans died from overdoses last year
“The number has been dropping since, down to around 70,000 last year.”
- 50times
Fentanyl is at least 50 times more powerful than heroin
“Fentanyl, which is entirely man-made, is 50 to 100 times more powerful than heroin”