Fentanyl in the US heroin supply: A rapidly changing risk environment

The opioid epidemic in the United States—Overview, origins, and potential solutions

“…Although approved only for use by cancer patients no longer having relief from morphine, Cephalon Pharmaceuticals allegedly promoted the use of the lollipop for other conditions, including migraines, sickle cell pain crises, musculoskeletal injuries, and anticipation of wound dressing changes. 28 Fentanyl also requires larger doses of naloxone, the common opioid antagonist used by first responders to reverse overdoses from heroin and other prescription opioids, and this contributes to the comparatively high rate of overdose mortality. During that same timeframe, annual drug overdose deaths rose more than 22%, from 52,000 to 64,000, with drug overdoses killing Americans at a rate faster than the peak fatality rates of car crashes, the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic, or gunshot wounds.…”

The US Opioid Epidemic and Prime‐Age Labor Force Participation

“…The opioid epidemic evolved with three successive waves of rising deaths due to different types of opioids, with each wave building on the earlier one (Ciccarone ). In the late 1990s, in response to claims that pain was undertreated and assurances from manufacturers that new opioid formulations were safe, the number of opioid prescriptions skyrocketed (CDC ).…”

Should NPS be included in workplace drug testing?

“…[28][29][30][31] In particular, fentanyl analogs have been linked to a large and rising number of overdose deaths among opiate and opioid users. [28][29][30][31] In particular, fentanyl analogs have been linked to a large and rising number of overdose deaths among opiate and opioid users.…”