blog home Drug Crimes Why Police Are Cracking Down Hard on Fentanyl

Why Police Are Cracking Down Hard on Fentanyl

By stladmin on November 10, 2022

Fentanyl is a powerful opioid pain medication that is similar to morphine. It is typically used to treat patients who experience severe pain, such as after surgery. Fentanyl is a prescription drug with a high potential for abuse and addiction. When appropriately used, fentanyl can be a safe and effective pain medication. However, because it is so potent, it is also easy to abuse and overdose. Fentanyl is often sold illegally on the street as a white powder or as fake pills. It is also sometimes mixed with heroin to increase its potency. Fentanyl is extremely dangerous, and even a tiny amount can be deadly.

How Deadly is Fentanyl?

Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is up to 100 times more potent than morphine, making it one of the deadliest drugs on the market. Fentanyl works by binding to opioid receptors in the brain, reducing pain signals. However, if not controlled appropriately, it can also cause respiratory depression, which can be fatal. People who use fentanyl are at a high risk of overdose and death.

Fentanyl and Other Drugs

Clandestinely produced fentanyl is primarily manufactured in Mexico, shaking up the illegal drug market because of how dangerous it is. Fentanyl is a dangerous and powerful drug often added to heroin to increase its potency or be disguised as highly potent heroin, but it is actually a synthetic opioid that is much stronger than heroin. A person who uses heroin cut with fentanyl is at a much higher risk of overdosing than if they were to use heroin alone. Sometimes, heroin users purchase heroin that is mixed with fentanyl without knowing, which can easily lead to an overdose death.

“Rainbow Fentanyl”

Rainbow Fentanyl refers to fentanyl in the form of brightly colored capsules or pills. Photos of piles of multi-colored fentanyl pills went viral on the internet not long before the 2022 Halloween season due to the pills’ visual similarity with some types of candy. The DEA also released a statement warning parents about the dangers of these pills and identifying them as evidence that drug cartels are intentionally marketing to children. Parents took to social media to express concern or even outrage that a product like this can be allowed to exist, stating that our children are in danger of mistaking fentanyl for candy and overdosing.

However, experts say that the likelihood of children accidentally taking fentanyl remains extremely low. Children, for obvious reasons, are not financially-sound targets for cartels or drug dealers. Some experts have even pointed out that fentanyl drugs have long been dyed different colors simply to help identify different products on the street and NOT because of any intentional marketing directed at children.

But some news outlets, eager for more clicks and attention, took the “rainbow fentanyl” narrative and ran with it, spreading misinformation and half-truths to attract the attention of already outraged parents. And the pressure of public outrage is real. The energy of those nervous, angry communities is partially mirrored in their police forces and prosecutors which heaps severe blame on all of those accused of fentanyl-related crimes.

Hire a Campbell County Defense Lawyer if You’re Accused of Drug Possession

You should hire a lawyer immediately if you have been accused of possessing fentanyl or any other drug. Possession of fentanyl is a crime that is being taken increasingly seriously by law enforcement, and you will need an experienced Gillette criminal defense attorney to help you navigate the legal system and defend your rights.

The Gillette fentanyl defense attorneys at Steven Titus & Associates P.C. will work with you to develop a defense strategy and will represent you in court if necessary. We will also be able to advise you on the best course of action to take and will help you understand the charges against you.

Don’t try to go through the legal process alone; Steven Titus & Associates, P.C. will protect your rights and fight for the best possible outcome in your case. Call (307) 257-7800 today to schedule a consultation.