Every day people are dying from Fentanyl and now we have drugs that are even worse. Fentanyl is an opioid. Opioids are a class of drugs that derive from, or mimic, natural substances found in the opium poppy plant. Opioids work on opioid receptors in the brain and other organs to produce a variety of morphine-like effects, including pain relief. Opioids include Heroin, Morphine, Codeine, Fentanyl, Methadone, Tramadol, and other similar substances. During the sixties and seventies there was a population of drug users. One of the popular drugs was known as LSD, which was also known as “Acid.” It was a powerful hallucinogenic drug. Many people had what was called “a bad trip” and committed suicide, but most people did not die from it. There was heroin which slowed down the central nervous system while speed was a stimulant which increased the central nervous system. Both drugs were highly addictive and overdoses did occur . Many of these drugs led to other life illnesses. But today thousands of people have died because of Fentanyl. It has become an epidemic. Now we have two other drugs to add to the list of opioids.
According to the Department of Drug Enforcement Administration there is a new drug called Carfentanil which is a synthetic opioid approximately 10,000 times more potent than Morphine and 100 times more potent than Fentanyl. The presence of carfentanil in illicit U.S. drug markets is cause for concern, as the relative strength of this drug could lead to an increase in overdoses and overdose-related deaths, even among opioid-tolerant users. The presence of Carfentanil poses a significant threat to first responders and law enforcement personnel who may come in contact with this substance or for that matter, anyone else around the person using these drugs. In any situation where any Fentanyl-related substance, such as Carfentanil, might be present, one should be careful not to even breathe this substance. Carfentanil can resemble powdered Cocaine or Heroin and should not be touched. Carfentanil comes in several forms, including powder, blotter paper, tablets, patch, and spray. Some forms can be absorbed through the skin or accidentally inhaled. But this is not all, there is another new drug called Nitazenes.
According to the Alcohol and Drug Foundation: Nitazenes were developed by researchers around 60 years ago as an alternative to Morphine, but because of their high potential for overdose were never released. Nitzazenes have been connected to a number of overdose deaths worldwide. Nitazenes are sold as a white powder, crystalline solid, or a brown/yellow powder. They have been found in tablets (fake Oxycodone), Heroin, Ketamine and synthetic cannabinoids. This drug affects people differently. The short term effects of Nitazenes include; Euphoria, relaxation, drowsiness, clumsiness, pain relief, reduced stress, itchiness, nausea and vomiting, fever, sweating, slow breathing and heart rate. If it is too high, you might overdose. Call an ambulance by dialling (000) if you or someone you are with has any of these symptoms: slow/shallow breathing, bluish/greyish lips and complexion, passing out, coma, death. Emergency services are there to help and can provide instructions over the phone. The potency of Nitazenes varies between drugs in their class. They can range from levels similar to Morphine, to a lot stronger than Fentanyl. If overdose occurs, Naloxone will likely temporarily reverse the drug’s effect, including respiratory depression. More than one dose may be required. Any kind of drug can be dangerous. It can be like playing Russian Roulette, why gamble on your life? The effect that you may be looking for could end your life or cause you to have a condition that will only make your life more complicated. Let’s take a closer look.
Recreational Drugs: are stimulants like caffeine, nicotine, to Cocaine, Meth, Ecstasy (MDMA), can still carry risks and in many cases can cause overdose.
Depressants: These substances slow down the central nervous nervous system, inducing a sense of relaxation and calm. Examples include: Alcohol, Barbiturates, Tranquilizers.
Hallucinogens: These substances cause perceptual distortions, such as hallucinations. Examples include: LSD (acid), Psilocybin (magic mushrooms), Marijuana, Peyote (mescalin.)
Analgesics/Opiates: These drugs are used to relieve pain. In a recreational context, they are often used for the euphoric high they can produce. Examples include: Heroin, Morphine, Fentanyl
Club drugs: These are often used by young adults in bars, clubs, and at parties to heighten sensory perception and lower inhibitions. Examples include: Ecstasy, MDMA, GHB, Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate and Ketamine and Kratom. Ketamine is a synthetic drug, first developed as an anesthetic in the 1960s. Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic with hallucinogenic effects. It can make a user feel detached from their pain and environment and distort their perception of sight and sound. It is used medically as a short-acting anesthetic for both humans and animals. Because of its hallucinogenic properties, ketamine is also a drug of abuse. A ketamine overdose can cause unconsciousness and dangerously slow breathing. It is a Schedule III controlled substance in the U.S.
The drug Kratom (also known as “kratan”), which has stimulant and sedative effects and is subject to different regulations. Kratom is a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia, and its leaves are used to make products that are either brewed into a tea, consumed in capsules, or chewed. This drug is being sold with no age requirements in local stores. At low doses, Kratom acts as a stimulant, increasing energy and alertness. At high doses, it can produce sedative effects similar to opioids, and it binds to the brain’s opioid receptors. Kratom’s legality varies, and it is not regulated by the FDA. The FDA has warned against its use due to serious health risks, including liver toxicity, seizures, and substance use disorder. The purity and strength of kratom products are unregulated, meaning users can’t be sure of the dose or if the product contains contaminants. Because both Kratom and Ketamine can affect the central nervous system, misusing either substance carries significant risks, and combining them could be especially dangerous.
Short-term effects are: Confusion, rapid mood changes, paranoia, and irritability, changes in heart rate and blood pressure, impaired judgment and coordination, nausea and vomiting and insomnia.
Long-term effects are: Addiction (Substance Use Disorder): This is a chronic disease characterized by compulsive drug-seeking and use despite harmful consequences. Addiction can alter brain chemistry, particularly the reward system involving the release of dopamine.
Brain damage: Altered neural pathways and reduced cognitive functions can occur over time.
Physical health problems: This includes heart, liver, and kidney damage, as well as an increased risk of stroke and infectious diseases.
Mental health issues: Chronic drug use is linked to higher rates of anxiety, depression, and psychosis
Social and relationship problems: Drug use can strain relationships with family and friends and lead to neglect of personal responsibilities.
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use, you can seek help from a qualified medical professional. Despite the perception that some casual use may be non-addictive, all recreational drugs can be dangerous and carry significant risks. These can range from addiction and long-term health issues to fatal overdose. If you have friends who use these drugs, do not join in with them, even if they tell you it is safe. With any addiction all it takes is once. Why make your life worse? If you think your life is complicated now, just think about what you just read and ask yourself, “Is it worth the risk for even one moment of escape?” Because that one moment may turn out to be a lifetime or for that fact, your very life, don’t gamble away your life…the odds are against you.