Florida coroners have noticed an increase in carfentanil overdose deaths this year.
Carfentanil It is a synthetic opioid that is 100 times more powerful than fentanyl and 10,000 times more powerful than morphine. First created in 1974 As a veterinary anesthetic for large animals such as elephants.
The cluster of deaths in Palm Beach County and across the state are raising alarms, but experts say the carfentanil epidemic isn’t increasing as much as it used to. 2016 and 2017At the time, the drug was responsible for 1 in 15 opioid deaths.
“I have no idea why carfentanil would suddenly reappear after so many years,” said Bob Goldberger, a professor at the University of Florida College of Medicine and state toxicologist.
Goldberger called the increase “alarming.”
While it’s too early for data to show what drugs carfentanil is contaminating, Goldberg said it is most commonly found in stimulants such as methamphetamine and cocaine.
more:New Florida law adds penalties for fentanyl ‘exposure’, creates ‘awareness day’
Carfentanil overdoses can be treated with naloxone, a drug that reverses opioid overdoses. In Florida, naloxone is available at your county health department without a prescription.
Anna Goni-LessanContact information for USA TODAY Network Florida state watchdog reporters can be found at inquiry.
