The fentanyl crisis is of interest to the US national authorities. origin – Wikimedia Commons. licence — In the public domain as a photograph made public by the Government of the United States of AmericaBelgian doctor Paul Janssen made a breakthrough for the planet of medicine in 1959. He synthesized a strong analgesic, acting almost a 100 times more than morphine. It was not essential to wait long for the product to be popularized and its sale started under many names. The opioid invented by Janssen, taken in moderation, became a salvation for chronically sick patients. The problem, however, is that the world, as it did not know, does not know the word moderation.
The production of fentanyl is not a complex process, which results in a variety of forms: subcutaneous patches, injection solutions, buccal tablets, fentanyl lollipops, pastyls or nasal sprays. The usage of opioid alone contributes to analgesia, or pain elimination. Fentanyl rapidly became a food for those who can gain from it, as well as for those who live in the shadow of deadly addiction with the belief that I usage it.
Black marketplace
Fentanyl was considered a drug as early as the 1970s, erstwhile its effects began to be compared to the commonly known heroin. In the case of both opioids, their action becomes almost immediately palpable and their duration is short adequate to contribute to the inevitable addiction. The illegal distribution of fentanyl, over time focused on mixing it with another chemical compounds specified as xylazine or methamphetamine, while the introduction of a mixture of fentanyl and cocaine into the black marketplace in 2006 contributed to the death epidemic in the United States of America.
At present, there is no sign of improvement. Although intense efforts are underway to limit the availability of fentanyl through fresh methods of packaging (one of many examples can be utilized by plastic, which collects the full contents of the drug and cannot be opened manually) and the production of test strips, the problem has grown to specified an degree that the addict is given the infamous nickname "living zombies". According to the national government agency of the United States of America – CDC, fentanyl contributes to nearly 70% of deaths from overdose. Moreover, this number is constantly increasing.
Unity in Crisis
The problem with the illegal usage of fentanyl is mainly heard in the United States of America, Canada and Mexico. Interestingly, however, his evasive smuggling has its origin in distant China. There is no uncertainty that cooperation between the mediate State and the US is not going smoothly, but the dialog between the powers allows to talk about ongoing anti-drug activities. At this point, it is not possible to say the same about Mexico, which initially completely denied the existence of illegal production of fentanyl in its territory and was then to hotel to data forgery. Organized crime groups specified as the Sinaloa and Jalisco cartels are inactive active in the mass distribution of the drug.
Death epidemic
The U.S. government is working intensively on preventive methods to reduce mortality statistic as a consequence of fentanyl overdose. These include educational campaigns and investigation into the synthesis of fresh drugs to aid fight addiction. Unfortunately, these efforts are inactive insufficient, as evidenced by the ever-increasing statistic of addiction and death. Not just in the United States.
Zombie streets, whose reflection from the position of our country has so far been possible only through the media, can besides become a real problem in Poland. The first case of fatal fentanyl overdose was reported in Poznań. The tragedy occurred in November 2023 – a nineteen-year-old girl experienced alleged respiratory depression; a situation where the body, influenced by fentanyl, "forgets" about breathing, which leads to death in just a fewer minutes. The situation put the Poznań police on their feet, which described the possession of opioid as sporadic and suggested that its presence in Poland was due to smuggling, not production. However, this does not change the fact that social media has covered recordings from Polish streets, which by their tragedy have become alarmingly akin to the American nightmare. Will Polish cities shortly start to match American districts affected by the fentanyl crisis? Unfortunately, it's possible. The phenomenon is already spreading to smaller towns. The portal Onet has late described cases of fentanyl addiction in Żuromin, a tiny (less than 9 1000 inhabitants) village in Mazowsz.
Fight against windmills
Is it inactive possible to halt the wave of deaths caused by fentanyl overdose? The situation seems to be highly difficult, given the deficiency of cooperation from countries in which illicit drug production occurs, as well as its uncontrolled smuggling in different parts of the world.
Each country's law is different, as is the action taken to end the opioid crisis. However, "unity" is simply a key word for combating the deadly enemy fentanyl. Effective actions must surely sound loud and clear, focusing on efficient healthcare, intellectual support and real border safety solutions. Fentanyl is simply a global threat, making coordinated global action necessary.
Aleksandra MEERZWA
