Fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid, is central to the US opioid epidemic, causing tens of thousands of overdose deaths. China is a major source of fentanyl and its precursors, complicating efforts to curb its trafficking. Solutions include stricter regulation, improved cooperation, and better addiction treatment access.
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US President Donald Trump has threatened to impose a 10% punitive duty on Chinese imports of fentanyl.
Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use as a pain reliever and anesthetic.
It is about 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin. Overdoses can cause stupor, changes in pupil size, clammy skin, cyanosis (blue skin), coma, and respiratory failure leading to death.
What are opioids?Opioids are drugs that derive from or mimic natural substances found in the opium poppy plant. They produce effects such as pain relief and euphoria but are highly addictive. Common opioids include fentanyl, oxycodone, morphine, codeine, and heroin. |
A fentanyl overdose can be reversed with naloxone (Narcan), an opioid antagonist that quickly binds to opioid receptors and blocks fentanyl's effects. Administering naloxone in time can restore normal breathing and save lives. However, because fentanyl is so potent, multiple doses of naloxone may be required.
Fentanyl is a key driver of the US opioid epidemic. Over 75% of the nearly 107,000 drug overdose deaths in 2021 involved opioids, with synthetic opioids like fentanyl causing a significant surge in fatalities after 2013. Fentanyl is often mixed into other drugs without users' knowledge, increasing the risk of overdose.
China is a primary source of fentanyl and its precursor chemicals. According to a 2020 DEA report, fentanyl and related substances are trafficked from China to the US through international mail and express consignment operations.
A US House Committee report claims that the Chinese Communist Party "directly subsidizes" fentanyl production through tax rebates to chemical companies. Many of these companies are involved in legal chemical manufacturing but also produce precursors for synthetic opioids.
Addressing the fentanyl crisis requires cooperation between the US and China, but deteriorating diplomatic relations have hindered progress.
Fentanyl production provides employment in many Chinese provinces, and manufacturers often alter chemical formulas to evade law enforcement.
China has also blamed the US for the opioid crisis, mentioning the overprescription of opioids by US pharmaceutical companies has led to widespread addiction, which created a demand for stronger opioids like fentanyl.
Stricter regulation of chemicals, better international cooperation, increased access to addiction treatment, and public education about the dangers of opioid misuse, are required to prevent the misuse of fentanyl.
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PRACTICE QUESTION Q.Consider the following statements about fentanyl: 1. It is a natural opioid derived from the opium poppy plant. 2. It is legally used as an anesthetic and for pain management. Which of the above statements is/are correct? A) 1 only B) 2 only C) Both 1 and 2 D) Neither 1 nor 2 Answer: B Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect: Opioids are a class of drugs naturally found in the opium poppy plant. Some opioids are made from the plant directly, and others, like fentanyl, are made by scientists in labs using the same chemical structure (semi-synthetic or synthetic). Statement 2 is correct: Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use as an analgesic (pain relief) and anesthetic. |
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