Researchers: Fentanyl deaths up 122% in West Virginia

A new report from the West Virginia University discovered that fentanyl deaths are up 122% in the state.

According to the researchers at the college, the study took an in-depth look into the use of the powerful synthetic opioid Tuesday. They examined all deaths related to drugs in West Virginia between 2005 to 2017 to come up with their total.

The report notes, In 2017, West Virginia led the nation in fentanyl overdose death and according to the federal Centers For Disease Control and Prevention statistics has the highest per capita rate of overdose deaths in the country.

The drug is hazardous because of the way it is mixed into other powerful drugs such as heroin or counterfeit prescription pill without the user knowing. Fentanyl produces a quick and intense high with such a small dose that it is usually indicated which in many cases leads to overdose and deaths.

However, Cabell County’s EMS Director Gordon Merry reports that overdose numbers went down in 2018 and are still going down this year. He gives credit to a multiple of different factors including the Quick Response Team and the use of Narcan, an overdose reversal.

China has been accused for years of being the main dupper of the synthetic formula due to the constant changing of formulas manufacturers would use, allowing them to manipulate the system.

Just last month, China banned all forms of the opioid fentanyl, following a promise President Xi Jinping made to President Donald Trump last year.

 

Contact: Kennedy Adams
Company:IVDAILY