Fentanyl-Laced Cocaine Is Overtaking Miami
Content adapted from this Zerohedge.com article : Source
Authored by Steve Birr via The Daily Caller,
The rapid influx of synthetic opioids into Florida is sparking an emergency warning from federal agents who say the deadly substances are seeping into cocaine supplies.
Officials with the Drug Enforcement Administration in Miami said Friday cocaine cut with fentanyl is becoming a widespread problem throughout the state, particularly in South Florida. State drug labs are finding both fentanyl, a synthetic opioid roughly 50 to 100 times more powerful than morphine, and carfentanil, a fentanyl analog roughly 10,000 times more powerful than morphine used largely as an elephant tranquilizer, reports the Sun Sentinel.
More than 180 samples of cocaine from 21 Florida counties analyzed by forensic scientists in the past two years have tested positive for potent opioids. Miami-Dade by far had the most contaminated cocaine supply, with 69 samples testing positive for opioids like fentanyl and carfentanil.
Cocaine-related deaths have doubled since 2012 in Florida and claimed more lives in 2016 than any other drug. Roughly 36 people died each month in Miami-Dade county from cocaine related issues in 2016.
"People are thinking they are taking straight cocaine and in fact they are not," Justin Miller, intelligence chief for the DEA's Miami Field Division, told the Sun Sentinel.
"Now you are seeing it cut or mixed with synthetic opioids. That's really what's scary out there."
Since cocaine is often considered a social drug, officials fear users are largely unaware of the potentially fatal risks of fentanyl when using the substance, and "are the most likely to suffer an overdose and death."
Fentanyl overtook heroin as the deadliest substance in the U.S. in 2016. Synthetic opioids, including fentanyl and its analogs, claimed roughly 20,100 lives in 2016, up from 9,945 in the previous year.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates cocaine overdose deaths increased from roughly 4,000 in 2009 to more than 6,700 in 2015. Officials say cocaine overdose deaths are about to explode in 2017 to nearly 11,000. Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein previously warned it only takes 2 milligrams of fentanyl, "the equivalent of a few grains of table salt," to cause a fatal overdose.
Drug overdoses are now the leading cause of accidental death for Americans under age 50 and are predicted to kill more than 71,000 people in 2017.
This is spinning out of control. 1000s of times stronger than something that could not be controled with unlimited and wasteful war on drugs. And I heard it's CHEAP too. Sad times
Sad thing sorry
Thank you. @zer0hedge
I wish you a great day
This is true that Cocaine-related deaths have doubled since 2012 in Florida and claimed more lives in 2016 than any other drug. Roughly 36 people died each month in Miami-Dade county from cocaine related issues in 2016.
Since cocaine is often considered a social drug, officials fear users are largely unaware of the potentially fatal risks of fentanyl when using the substance, and "are the most likely to suffer an overdose and death."
You're right though, a real chemist could make the perfect drug, both motivating and pain relieving, but not under the government's control. when your customers die from using your product just ask the dealers and users. I think it's time the government supplies all the drugs these people can ingest for free as long as they agree not to seek medial help.Sorry, I have no sympathy for drug addicts who kill themselves. If this goes on long enough the problem will solve itself. Just think about it, no more rampant homelessness
Miami led the way in the 1980s with the cocaine...perhaps it is a revival down there with the new synthetic cocaine.
Drugs were always dangerous but not it is going from plant based stuff to chemical compounds that people make in a lab.
I guess it is no big deal...big Pharma has been doing that for years. Is synthetic coke any different from oxy?
Considering the govt is watching over the crops, processing for shipment, allowing the shipments, and aiding distribution, they should net be surprised at the result. Having lived in that area when the crack came in the 1980's, I pray for those people.
I lived in Liverpool UK 1990s when heroin hit. I don't pray, but I do hope there is a way out for those who get swept up by this new evil that's stronger than the last
Yup. My son already lost one of his mentors to it two years ago in California. It's all over the place there too.
It gets the good and the bad. Sad
If drugs were legal this wouldn't be a problem. Because it's illegal you never know whats in your drugs. Bring it out of the shadows and people will stop dying all the time.
I don't do cocaine anymore but if it was legal people wouldn't get fentanyl laced stuff. That shit is pure death its getting into everything.
Drugs make us only worse. Big uncles use drugs to make slaves of people. Think 100 times before trying.
Good luck to you and good.
@zer0hedge I am sure glad I cleaned my act up back in the 80's.....
Thanks for your drug news @zer0hedge