Scott Byington Article
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Synthetic Opiates-A Failed Science Experiment
Drugs are a concern for parents and Law Enforcement around the country; drug overdoses kill more Americans each year than car crashes or guns. And now the most potent opioid we have is the drug most available on the illegal market. The population of the United States makes up roughly 4.4% of the world’s population; however 80% of the world’s prescription opioids are consumed in the Unites States. The current illegal drug trends have shifted because of that startling fact. A currently popular drug among our youth is the potent and dangerous synthetic opioid, Fentanyl. Not only is this drug stronger than any other illegal drugs, it is easy for our children to get and extremely addictive.
What is a synthetic drug?
Any successful business model is designed around making the most profit from an initial investment. The industry of illegal drug sales is no different. It is much cheaper to manufacture a synthetic opioid than produce it naturally. Advances in chemistry and technology have made it possible to isolate the molecules in natural substances that are known to produce euphoric feelings in humans. Chemists then mimic that molecule using chemicals; the result is a synthetic drug. The molecule is then altered slightly creating an analog; there are hundreds of Fentanyl analogs. Just like with synthetic marijuana (spice) whenever we make an analog illegal they change it slightly, name is something different and sell it until we make that analog illegal.
Is it dangerous?
Fentanyl and its analogs such as U-47700 (Pinky) and W-18 (carfentanil) are lethal at very minor doses- think in terms of a few grains of salt. If the drug is obtained in its raw powder form it takes specialized laboratory equipment to break it down into dosage amounts. Unfortunately this is not happening in the illegal drug market. Untrained individuals are obtaining the raw drug and trying to dose it themselves without the proper equipment. If the user is lucky they’ll get a dose with a small amount of the drug, the result for the unlucky is overdose and death. Many of the analogs, such as U-47700, have not been tested for human consumption and can have long lasting negative effects. Drug dealers are also mixing Fentanyl into other drugs to “spice them up” and there is no way for the user to know until it’s too late.
Where does it come from?
The dark world of drugs has gotten even darker. Our children and teenagers are turning to a different type of drug dealer, the dark web. The dark web is designed as a place to conduct the type of business that would be unacceptable to the average person. It is a place where users can remain anonymous and even has its own form of currency, the bit coin. One of the most common types of transaction on the dark web is illegal drug sales. Any type or form of illegal drug can be purchased through the dark web marketplaces, which are then shipped around the world using common carriers (UPS, FEDEX, USPS).
Drugs are dangerous and can cause serious bodily injury or death, even after one use. If the user is lucky enough to avoid the more serious result they can quickly become addicted and suffer agonizing withdrawal when not used.
What can we do?
-set an example and be involved in children’s lives;
-Be honest and keep an open line of communication with children;
-Educate yourself then educate you kids about drug usage;
-Monitor your child’s internet usage and inspect every package delivered to your home;
-If your loved one has a problem with substance abuse, get help immediately