Fentanyl and Heroin Epidemic: The Numbers Are Rising
According to the Miami Police Department, in August 2016 there were over 270 drug overdoses in Miami. The most tragic fact is that the numbers keep rising. Responsible for this alarming numbers is a drug called Fentanyl.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid pain medication which is also used as a recreational drug. It is estimated to be 80 times stronger than morphine. Fentanyl and other derivatives biological effects are very similar to those of the heroin, but they are hundreds of times more potent than heroin and more dangerous.
This drug is used orally, smoked, snorted or injected. It is often sold on the streets in the form of transdermal patches or in the form of lollipops called "percopop". Sometimes drug dealers mix fentanyl powder with heroin to increase power or compensate for low-quality heroin. This mixture is known on the streets as "magic" or "the bomb". The substance is very quickly absorbed by the body, being hard to stop its course once is in the user's system.
Since the beginning of 2016 the drug was responsible for over 100 deaths in Miami. The Miami PD and other organizations are giving their best to stop this epidemic. You can help them too and call 911 if you spot a drug user. Here is how you can recognize a fentanyl user.
Physical signs:
- Euphoria;
- Hallucinations;
- Dizziness;
- Confusion;
- Nausea and vomiting;
- Respiratory and/or cardiac arrest in serious cases.
Behaviors and tools:
- Bruises or track marks on arms and legs due to drug injection;
- Syringes, burned spoons, elastic bands, plastic water bottle caps, cotton balls.
We are experiencing a #Fentanyl & Heroin epidemic in Miami Dade. Over 270 overdoses in August & numbers keep rising. #OpioidAwareness RT pic.twitter.com/O1CTjtuXwU
— Miami PD (@MiamiPD) September 21, 2016
Please call 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or 911 if you know someone who needs help.
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