What Makes Fentanyl So Dangerous?
Fentanyl is dangerous due to its high potency, being 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin. It was designed for pain relief but can cause euphoria, leading to misuse and addiction. Overdoses can cause breathing problems, unconsciousness, and death. It's often mixed with other drugs, increasing the risk of overdose. Illicit versions can be even more dangerous, with some counterfeit pills containing lethal doses. In 2021, over 70,000 people in the US overdosed on fentanyl.