In March of 2021, three New York professionals died of a Fentanyl overdose. Three different lives, three separate locations, all unbeknownst to each other; the three victims had received Cocaine laced with Fentanyl from the same text-order drug delivery service.

On a Wednesday in late winter, 26-year-old Julia Ghahramani, 40-year-old Ross Mtangi, and 38-year-old Amanda Scher texted their dealer, Billy Ortega, asking for Cocaine. The 35-year-old stay at home dad operated a delivery service and upon receiving the orders, sent out courier Kaylen Rainey to distribute the drugs.

Dealer Sends Assuaging Texts, Pleads Not Guilty

Communicating via text with the customers, incriminating messages reveal that Ortega knew the batch he was selling was deadly, or at least highly dangerous. Records show a text thread between Ortega (sometimes using the moniker “Jason Melissa”) and Scher the day she bought the drugs:

“Hey try not to do too much because it’s really strong”

“Hey boss lady you heard”

“Lol”

These messages came after Scher had told him that this batch was “Def better” than her previous order earlier in the week. By the time she was found dead on her couch by her dog walker the next day, Scher had several missed Facetime calls from Ortega as well as a text sent that morning to “give [him] a call back” to “ask [her] something real fast.”

The timestamps are fuzzy regarding the correspondences between Ortega and his three customers, but prosecutors allege that roughly six hours after Rainey had delivered the drugs to Ghahramani, Ortega tried to reach her, too. Like Scher, Ghahramani and Mtangi were both found already dead the next morning.

Both Ortega and Rainey are pleading not guilty to causing the three deaths.

Cocaine Prevalence Among New York Elites, Now Cut With Fentanyl

Thanks to its Stimulant nature and euphoric effects, Cocaine gained popularity as a party drug in New York in the 1980s. With a bustling night life full of busy-bodied professionals and a nonstop mentality, it’s not necessarily surprising that this powdered substance is so widely used. According to the Wall Street Journal, the rate of Cocaine usage in New York is higher than the national average of 2%.

What’s worse and considerably more concerning is the increasing prevalence of illicit Fentanyl found in a variety of street drugs, particularly those like Heroin, Cocaine, and sometimes even counterfeit Adderall. Fentanyl, when pharmaceutically rendered and medically prescribed, can alleviate intense pain following surgical procedures and even provide relief for cancer patients. When bought in the drug market illicitly, though, the drug is highly dangerous and incredibly lethal. A synthetic Opioid, Fentanyl is 50-100 times stronger than Morphine and deadly in a dose of around 2 milligrams, roughly the same amount as several grains of sand.

Recent data from the New York Department of Health shows that nearly half of all overdose deaths involve Fentanyl, often the victims none the wiser that their drug contained any traces of the deadly substance. Sassan Ghahramani, 26-year-old Julia’s father said of his daughter’s devastating overdose, “Julia was a driven professional with everything to live for. Never in a billion years would she have touched anything with Fentanyl. This is like putting bullets in people’s brains.”

Fentanyl Overdose Fatalities Steadily Climbing

Because the illicit, street-derived Fentanyl is relatively low cost and easy for cartels and dealers to procure, it is being cut into more and more substances either accidentally, as an experiment, or a way to lower the cost of more expensive drugs like Cocaine and Heroin.

In New York alone, of the 980 Cocaine-related deaths in 2020, 81% involved Fentanyl. Drug usage and overall fatalities have increased over the last few years of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent shutdowns and isolation. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were 107,622 reported fatal overdoses throughout the United States in 2021, an increase of 15% from the 93,655 deaths the previous year. While still stifling, this 15% increase is only half of what it was from 2019 to 2020’s 30% rise. Of those 107,622 deaths, 71,238 of them involved the presence of a synthetic Opioid—largely, Fentanyl.

Accidental Overdose Can Happen To Anyone

Ross Mtangi was a Wall Street executive who regularly ran five miles through Manhattan, Harvard-educated, and an expecting father. Julia Ghahramani virtually graduated from Columbia Law School in 2020 and was working as a first-year lawyer, days away from a family holiday trip. Amanda Scher was a dedicated social servant, splitting her time between hospital work and virtual counseling, and a doting mother to an elderly rescue dog.

These unsuspecting, recreational users became victims in a matter of moments; their bright futures permanently snuffed. None of them fit the bill of “addict,” their story added to the list of dozens like it, another heartbreaking glimpse into the danger and devastation of the drug trade.

Get Help For Fentanyl And Illicit Drug Use

If you or someone you love is struggling with illicit drug use, there are resources available. Reach out and contact a treatment provider today to learn more and discuss treatment and recovery options. Don’t wait until it’s too late; life is too precious and moves too fast.

The post Fentanyl Overdose Kills Three New Yorkers appeared first on Addiction Center.

A new type of animal tranquilizer called Xylazine is appearing more frequently in drug supplies across the country and is thought to be responsible for thousands of overdoses in states like Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware, and New Jersey. Also known by the street name, “Tranq,” Xylazine poses a major threat to public health, as not only can the drug be lethal, but it can also cause necrosis (death of bodily tissue) which can lead to loss of fingers, toes, and even limbs in severe cases.

Xylazine belongs to a class of drugs known as sedatives and is sold under the brand names Rompun®, Sedazine®, and AnaSed®. Currently, it is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for veterinary medicine only, where it is used as a sedative, analgesic, and muscle relaxant for horses and cattle, similar to tranquilizers like Ketamine.

The Dangers Of Tranq

Officials say drug suppliers are lacing the Fentanyl and Heroin supply with Xylazine because it is cheap and easy to get. This means that many users may be using the drug unknowingly. Because Xylazine isn’t an Opioid, it can’t be detected by Fentanyl testing strips, nor can its effects be negated using Naloxone, a medication that reverses the effects of drug overdoses. The drug has been said to be so powerful that it can “knock out” users for about 6 to 8 hours, far longer than most Opioids.

Shawn Westfahl, an overdose prevention coordinator for Prevention Point, Philadelphia’s only needle exchange, says the combination of Xylazine and Fentanyl can put a person to sleep for hours, making it harder to determine whether someone is experiencing an overdose.

Along with its extremely addictive nature, Xylazine poses serious risks for users. Since the drug is often mixed with Opioids like Fentanyl or Heroin, it can not only be ingested unknowingly, but it can also be extremely deadly.

Jamill Taylor, a member of Philadelphia’s narcotics unit, says that “[Xylazine] is basically eating them alive. It causes them to rot from the inside out.” Taylor is referring to perhaps the most alarming symptom of Xylazine use: necrosis. In many cases, the use of Xylazine use can cause skin cells to die, leading to loss of fingers, toes, and even limbs in some cases. Health officials in Philadelphia report that a woman who had been admitted to the hospital for Xylazine needed both an arm and leg amputation due to “severe necrosis.”

Symptoms of Xylazine Use

According to officials with the US Drug Enforcement Agency, reports of non-fatal Xylazine cases ranged from concentrations of 30 to 4,600 mL. In non-fatal cases, some of the most reported symptoms include:

• Blurred vision
• Disorientation
• Drowsiness
• Staggering
• Coma
• Miosis (constriction of the pupils)
• Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar)

Reports of fatal overdoses involving Xylazine were identified as those with a drug concentration up to 16,000 mL. According to the DEA, it is extremely difficult to ascertain exactly where the threshold of lethal and non-lethal doses of Xylazine is due to the wide range of reported doses.

When used frequently, in high concentrations, or alongside other substances like Fentanyl, Xylazine can have serious, life-threatening symptoms. These include:

• Respiratory depression
• Bradycardia (slowed heart rate)
• Skin lesions
• Frequent, persistent skin infections
• Necrosis
• Overdose

Furthermore, the DEA has urged extreme caution surrounding Xylazine use, as normal overdose-prevention medications, like Narcan, will not work on someone heavily sedated on Xylazine. Given the high prevalence of Opioids like Fentanyl that are commonly mixed with Xylazine, health officials still say Narcan should be administered should someone display overdose symptoms.

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Where Is Xylazine Coming From?

While it’s unclear where exactly the surge in supply of Xylazine is coming from, what public health officials do know is that Philadelphia has become ground zero for this new, deadly drug.

Health officials in the city claim that an “alarming” amount of the drug has entered the city in the last few years, leading to a spike in cases of Xylazine-related overdoses. Researchers in Pennsylvania estimate that Xylazine is in 91% of the Heroin and Fentanyl supply in Philadelphia, and claim its prevalence is making its way west. Additionally, the Detroit Free Press reports that deaths involving the tranquilizer increased 87% from 2019 to 2020 in the state of Michigan.

Other states that have been plagued by the recent spike in Xylazine include New York, New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland, all of which have seen a staggering increase in overdoses in the last year. In Maryland alone, which ranks 6th in the country for the rate of fatal overdoses (44.6 per 100,000), Xylazine was involved in nearly 20% of all fatal drug overdoses in 2021.

Treating Xylazine Addiction

While Xylazine in and of itself is not a “new” substance, its use outside of veterinary medicine has skyrocketed in the last few years. Since the drug has not been studied for its effects on humans extensively, along with the fact that much of the Xylazine in circulation is laced with Opioids like Fentanyl, it can be extremely difficult to determine when someone may be experiencing an overdose or severe adverse effects.

Since health officials know very little about the drug, it is not advised for anyone who is using Xylazine to detox alone. Experts suggest undergoing a supervised medical detox at an inpatient rehab facility for the safest possible outcome.

Once detox is completed, treatment may include a variety of methods, including medically assisted treatment (MAT), recreational therapies, group therapies, and other specialized treatment methods geared toward specific Xylazine withdrawal symptoms. Certain psychological counseling modalities have shown to be particularly successful in treating addictions to similar substances like Ketamine. These include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT).

Get Help Today

Should adverse effects or signs of addiction to Xylazine or other drugs be present, the time to get help is now. Xylazine has no authorized use outside of veterinary medicine, meaning any use of the drug is not only illegal but can have potentially life-threatening side effects.

To start your journey toward recovery, contact a treatment provider to learn more about what treatment options are available to you.

The post Animal Tranquilizer Xylazine Poses Major Threat appeared first on Addiction Center.

Public health officials in Chicago are urging would-be Lollapalooza-goers to test their drugs for Fentanyl, citing concerns of potential overdoses during the four-day music festival. The festival, which was held over the weekend, saw nearly 400,000 people flood the city’s Grant Park, many of which were believed to be partaking in illicit drug use.

“There’s going to be people walking around with backpacks at Lollapalooza, that are going to be selling pills that are going to be laced with Fentanyl. There’s not a doubt in my mind,” said a spokesperson for the Chicago Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) in the days leading up to the festival.

In the official warning put out by the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH), officials warned of the potential dangers of Fentanyl, and urged all Lollapalooza attendees to “Test your drugs before you use, carry Narcan, and don’t use alone.”

CDPH said Fentanyl is found in Cocaine, Ecstasy (MDMA) and other drugs – not just Heroin. The department also informed attendees that Narcan and Fentanyl test strips can be picked up at Chicago public libraries “in easy-to-access Narcan dispenser kits,” similar to other harm reduction sites found in other major cities across the country.

Previous Concerns About Fentanyl At Music Festivals

The warnings by CDPH are not the first to be made by the city, nor are they first to be made regarding a music festival. In the last year, Chicago alone has seen over 1,300 Fentanyl-related overdoses. Fentanyl now accounts for nearly 70% of all Opioid-related deaths in the United States, with a growing number of overdoses occurring at events such as raves or music festivals.

While not a surprise to many, music festivals such as Lollapalooza have become hotspots for party drugs like MDMA (Ecstasy), Cocaine, and many other recreational substances. These drugs, combined with extended periods outdoors in the heat, lack of proper hydration, and the drug culture surrounding music festivals can all spell disaster for those partaking in illicit drug activity.

Unfortunately, deadly overdoses involving Fentanyl at music festivals are becoming more and more common. Since 2006, there have been 26 confirmed cases of overdoses from Fentanyl-tainted Ecstasy alone at music festivals and other rave-like events. In fact, just two weeks ago at a music festival in Washington state called Wiggle in the Wetlands, a 21-year-old woman was found dead after consuming Ecstasy that had been laced with Fentanyl.

It’s not just regular drug users that are falling victim to overdoses at music festivals. In 2018, 16-year-old Evan Kitzmiller died at Lollapalooza after a fatal overdose involving Ecstasy. Andrew Kitzmiller, Evan’s father, remains adamant that Evan was not a drug user, and that it was likely Lollapalooza was his first time using.

Music festivals create unique opportunities, and risks, for illicit drug use. Most major festivals, like Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, and Coachella, draw massive crowds, sometimes exceeding half a million attendees. This makes it easy to slip backpacks filled with drugs past security, which is oftentimes lacking to begin with.

These types of festivals are also typically held in the height of summer, with many in locations that can exceed 100 degrees in the daytime. This, combined with alcohol and drug use, can cause severe dehydration, which can increase the risk for a drug overdose.

Fentanyl Can Be Found In Many Drugs Used At Festivals, Not Just Heroin

Fentanyl is commonly associated with drugs like Heroin or Methamphetamines, as it is commonly used to lace or “cut” the substance to make it more potent or addictive. However, many people may be unaware that Fentanyl can also be found in numerous other drugs, including the two most commonly used at music festivals: Ecstasy and Cocaine, according to a 2018 survey on illicit drug use at music festivals.

Fentanyl is a synthetic Opioid that is 50-100 times stronger than Morphine. The drug is typically used to treat patients after surgery but has become rampant in recreational drugs where it is often used to “cut” or lace other substances. This can oftentimes be unknown to drug users, which can lead to devastating consequences for unsuspecting music festival attendees.

Illicit drugs like Ecstasy and Cocaine don’t come with an ingredient list, and it’s nearly impossible to tell if they have been laced with Fentanyl unless you test them with Fentanyl test strips. Even in small amounts, Fentanyl can be extremely deadly, making any level of illicit drug use potentially dangerous. When compared with other illicit drugs, such as Cocaine, which can be lethal in doses around 1.2 grams, Fentanyl can be lethal in as little as 2 milligrams.

Since October of last year, Chicago DEA has seized over 80,000 pills containing Fentanyl. What makes these pills especially dangerous, according to DEA officials, is that they are nearly identical to the real thing.

“I’ve done this job for 20 years,” said one DEA official. “I can’t distinguish between a fake Fentanyl pill or a pill containing Fentanyl and one that doesn’t.”

While the answer to staying safe from Fentanyl at music festivals is to avoid illicit drug use altogether, health officials say that should attendees decide to use, they should do so safely. Narcan, also known as Naloxone, is a drug used to help reverse the symptoms of an overdose and save lives.

“Having your own naloxone could save someone else’s life. Or if you carry it around and let your friends and other loved ones know where it is, because you can’t use it on yourself,” said Dr. Maria Rahmandar, who often treats patients during Lollapalooza at Lurie Children’s Hospital. “If you decide to use something, I would encourage you to not use alone and to use with people who are sober.”

Even Occasional Drug Use At Music Festivals Can Lead To Addiction

It’s important to note that there is a difference between occasional drug use and drug addiction. Using illicit drugs once, or occasionally, is known as drug misuse. Because no level of drug use is safe, drug misuse still carries significant risk, especially considering the increased warnings surrounding Fentanyl at music festivals.

Where drug misuse crosses over to drug addiction is when it is accompanied by compulsive behaviors such as seeking out drugs, despite adverse consequences. Addiction is considered a brain disorder, because it involves changes to the brain that alter the way it functions. These changes oftentimes involve altering the circuits involved with reward, risk, stress, and self-control. This is why it’s recommended to seek professional help for drug addiction.

If you or someone you know are unable to stop using drugs, they should consider treatment for drug addiction. Treatment for drug addiction usually begins with detox, which should be done at a treatment facility, as drug withdrawals can be especially dangerous. Depending on the substance you are using, detox can take anywhere from 24 hours to two weeks.

Detox is just the first part of treatment. On its own, detox is usually insufficient for a successful recovery. You will need to speak with your doctor or addiction treatment specialist to determine what steps you will need to take once detox is complete. Typically, this will include inpatient or outpatient rehab programs, or a combination of both.

To find a treatment center near you, contact a treatment provider to get more information on addiction treatment.

The post Fentanyl At Music Festivals Raises Concerns appeared first on Addiction Center.

New York City officials have proposed a new initiative that will feature the installation of “public health vending machines.” These vending machines will dispense free toiletries, safe sex kits, and harm reduction supplies, such as overdose reversal medications and sterile syringes.

What Is Harm Reduction?

Harm reduction programs are aimed at reducing overdose deaths and other adverse outcomes that can come from drug use. While most policies are focused on abstinence, harm reduction works to give agency to those who are struggling with a substance use disorder (SUD). This is done through a spectrum of approaches such as managed and safer use.

Because each program differs based on the community’s needs, there is no set definition for harm reduction. States in the US who take this approach typically provide medications to reverse overdose, resources on treatment, and needle exchange. The National Harm Reduction Coalition lists 8 principles that are essential for harm reduction programs. These principles include:

1. Accepts that licit and illicit drug use is part of our world and chooses to not ignore or condemn harmful effects. 
2. Recognizes that substance use is a complex situation and that some methods are safer than others. 
3. Uses the quality of individual and community life as the program’s criteria. 
4. Services and resources are provided without judgement or coercion. 
5. Program is created by routinely giving a voice to those who use substances or have a history of substance uses. 
6. Those who use substances are the primary agents in reducing harm. 
7. Acknowledges that social inequalities, like poverty, class, racism, past trauma, and discrimination can affect an individual’s vulnerability for substance use. 
8. Does not minimize or ignore the harms and dangers that are associated with substance use. 

New York City’s Vending Machine Plan

It has been reported that every 4 hours, a person in New York City dies of a drug overdose. Like the rest of the US, New York City has seen an increase in overdose related deaths over the past few years. In 2020, 2,062 overdose deaths were recorded for the city which is 500 more than the prior year.

This $730,000 pilot program is geared towards curbing overdoses by making harm reduction supplies easily accessible. In order to reach the areas that have been especially affected by overdose deaths, 10 public health vending machines will be placed in all 5 boroughs of the city. Central Harlem, Union Square, Far Rockaway, Stapleton, and East New York have been identified as top priority neighborhoods. 

While residents of New York state currently have access to clean syringes at pharmacies throughout the state, these vending machines may be a more appealing option. By eliminating face-to-face interactions and being available 24/7, harm reduction vending machines can get supplies to the people who need them most, where they need them, and on their schedule.

Needle Exchange Programs And Naloxone

Exchanging needles and providing Naloxone will be the main focus of New York’s harm reduction vending machines. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines syringe services programs (SSP) as community based programs that provide access to sterile needles and syringes, facilitate safe disposal of used syringes, and link people to treatment programs. Studies have shown that those who participate in SSPs are 5 times more likely to enter treatment than those who do not. It has also been proven that these programs can be successful in preventing the spread of HIV, Hepatitis C, and other skin and other high risk infections.

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Naloxone is a medication that can reverse Opioid overdose by attaching to Opioid receptors to block the substance’s effects. This can be achieved through a nasal spray form of Naloxone or by injecting it into muscle. Being able to recognize an Opioid overdose is important when it comes to using Naloxone. Signs of of Opioid overdose include:

• Unconsciousness 
• Small pupils 
• Shallow breathing 
• Vomiting 
• Inability to speak 
• Faint heartbeat 
• Pale skin 
• Purple fingernails or lips 

Once Naloxone has been administered, it will only reverse effects for 30 to 90 minutes. For this reason, it is essential that emergency services be contacted immediately along with the use of Naloxone. 

Las Vegas’s Harm Reduction Vending Machines

Nevada was the first state to install vending machines similar to the ones included in New York’s plan. The state, which began using these vending machines in 2017, saw significant success within the first year, especially in the Las Vegas area. From 2017 to 2018, approximately 23,540 clean syringes were distributed. 1/4th of the transactions were for HIV and Hepatitis C tests and 5% of clients asked for referrals for treatment programs. Additionally, nearly half of those who used the vending machines requested Naloxone.

The 3 vending machines placed in southern Nevada have been deemed a success. Their harm reduction services have been able to keep people safe by providing supplies to otherwise hard to reach groups of people. These populations can receive the supplies they need in a discreet manner which has helped to lower the stigma that is associated with getting help for a SUD. 

Biden’s Push Towards Harm Reduction

The Biden Administration is the first to openly support harm reduction policies. While not everyone is in support of this approach, the need for reducing the harms caused by drug use is more important than ever. In 2021, the US reported its highest number of overdose deaths in a 12 month period at over 100,000. 

On December 8th, 2021, the Biden Administration announced that they will be making efforts to work towards implementing more harm reduction programs. To do so, they will be supplying over $30 million in grants. These grants will be used for harm reduction services such as syringe exchanges and Naloxone. 

Critics of harm reduction believe that these programs do not address the most critical issues of addiction. Additionally, it is often thought that needle exchange programs will create more litter in the area. Studies have found that this claim is not true. 

The post New York To Implement Harm Reduction Vending Machines appeared first on Addiction Center.

It was sometime in the 2010s when Fentanyl, a synthetic Opioid similar in color and texture to Heroin, made its way to the streets and to deadly consequence. The United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has confiscated over 15,000 pounds of Fentanyl this year alone; an amount large enough to kill every American. The biggest concern? It’s no longer an issue of Fentanyl-laced Heroin or other common street drugs like Cocaine, Molly (Ecstasy), or Methamphetamine (Meth). Drug traffickers are now using online modalities such as social media to sell pills of Fentanyl identical in resemblance to prescriptions such as OxyContin, Xanax, and Adderall; otherwise “tightly-controlled” substances.

This means, essentially, that everyone with a smartphone (roughly 85% of the American population) and a connection to the internet has access to the networks in which these bootleg pills are being sold. Federal authorities believe the rise in Fentanyl-laced drugs is due largely to the fact that the substance is easy to transport and difficult to track. “You can fake out your parents, your friends, your partner, law enforcement,” says Joseph Palamar, associate professor and drug epidemiologist at New York University. Unlike Heroin, which is cultivated from the opium-poppy plant, Fentanyl is derived from strictly chemicals and is 50 times more powerful than Heroin. The vast majority of these counterfeit pills have been brought, bought, or smuggled into the country from Mexico where drug cartels are purchasing the necessary ingredients from China.

Mexican Sinaloa Cartel Catering To “US Need” Of Fentanyl

In late October of this year, Mexican authorities intercepted the Sinaloa Cartel, one of the largest and most dangerous drug organizations in the Western Hemisphere, discovering a record-breaking amount of Fentanyl. In this one raid, police found approximately 260 pounds of the substance, estimated to be worth roughly $50 million US dollars.

Former commissioner of Mexico’s Federal Police, Manelich Castilla Craviotto told Business Insider, “If Mexican authorities seized more than 100 kilograms, it means criminals are producing at least several tons.” Fentanyl is both easier to produce than Cocaine or Heroin and is 20 times more profitable because it is easier to smuggle and the user requires only a minuscule dosage to become addicted; cooks are even trained to mix and create Fentanyl “according to US need”— a chilling remark. Craviotto also said, “Today Mexico does not have a policy or campaign to point out the traffickers and the producers. The present administration’s vision is very limited when compared to how things are done in the US,” a fact that makes the drug trade even more dangerous.

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DEA Releases Public Safety Alert

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 100,000 people died from overdose between April of 2020 and April of 2021; an estimated 75,000 of those deaths were due to an Opioid overdose—largely, from Fentanyl. For the first time in 6 years, the DEA has issued a public safety alert on the dangers of fake pills after confiscating more than 9.5 million bootleg pills – an increase of nearly 430% since 2019. Of every fake pill the agency encountered, roughly 40% have contained at least 2 milligrams of Fentanyl: an amount comparable to a few grains of course sand and enough to cause a fatal overdose.

As recently as Thursday, December 16^th, the DEA discovered more than 570 new cases stemming from a single law enforcement surge, linking 39 fatal overdoses. “Social media is the perfect drug trafficking tool,” Anne Milgram, DEA Administrator said in a press conference on that same day. She spoke of cases of young teens found dead after taking what looked like prescribed Oxycodone or other legitimately procured medications purchased online, usually through social media. Drug cartels choose these mediums, Milgram says, for several reasons including the vast accessibility; “[they’re] easy to use, drug traffickers can hide their identities, they can lie about what they are selling, and most importantly, the sites permit the sale of these fake counterfeit pills every day to go unchecked.”

The other issue is that the network of criminal drug activity is completely misrepresenting what it is they are marketing and selling to people. Whether it is deliberate deception on the part of the drug cartels is not clear. “People think that they are buying real Xanax pills, real Adderall pills, real Oxycodone using online platforms that they trust…in reality, they’re getting deadly Fentanyl and pills that look just like the real thing,” Milgram said in the same conference. Hopefully awareness, vigilance, and tightened precautions can lead to a safer, more prosperous future.

The post The Deadly Link Between Social Media And Fentanyl Pills appeared first on Addiction Center.

Researchers at the University of British Columbia have developed an artificial intelligence (AI) tool for analyzing synthetic drugs. Up until now, psychoactive “designer drugs” have been difficult to identify with standard drug tests. This new AI tool not only easily detects synthetic substances but also can predict new chemical structures. 

This advancement in AI, called DarkNPS, could help to develop more accurate drug screening tests with faster results. While current tests can take weeks, or even months, this tool could deliver results in just a few hours. 

What Are Synthetic Drugs?

Synthetic drugs are constructed in labs with the intention of imitating the effects of other drugs that may be illegal or hard to obtain. These substances are created by altering the original drug’s chemical structure. In doing so, synthetic drugs circumvent existing drug laws and safety standards. Although often marketed as being harmless “legal alternatives,” lack of regulations make the use of these substances extremely dangerous. 

Currently, the 2 most common types of synthetic drugs in the US are Cannabinoids and Cathinones. Synthetic Cannabinoids, like K2 and spice, emulate the effects of THC which is the main psychoactive compound in Marijuana. Manufactured Cathinones, like bath salts, mimic Stimulants such as Cocaine, Methamphetamines, and LSD. The effects of Opioids, Benzodiazepines, and Phenethylamines have also been replicated. Using these popular substances can have negative health effects such as anxiety, elevated blood pressure, hallucinations, seizures, chest pain, extreme paranoia, and violent behavior. 

The first US report of synthetic drugs occurred in 2008 when a shipment of spice was seized in Dayton, Ohio. To further avoid safety standards, synthetic substances are typically smuggled into the US after being manufactured in another country. Packaging usually reads “not safe for human consumption” or is mislabeled intentionally. 

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AI Detection Tool

Michael Skinnider, an MD/PhD student at the University of British Columbia worked to develop the new AI tool for synthetic drug detection. To achieve this, Skinnider and his colleagues collected over 1,700 known synthetic drugs from around the world. Tandem mass spectrometry, or Tandem MS, was used to examine the chemical structure of these substances. This technique breaks down ions of the substance into smaller fragments. In doing so, the AI tool was able to find patterns between the chemical structures of these collected drugs. With this information, the AI tool was able to predict 8.9 million potential synthetic drugs. 

After training this tool, the team of researchers at UBC tested the AI technology with 194 new synthetic drugs. The DarkNPS tool was able to recognize 174 of the tested substances by searching for the most common chemical structure patterns. This 89% accuracy rate supports the idea that DarkNPS can be used to anticipate and identify future synthetic drugs. 

Previously, the possibilities for new synthetic drugs were seemingly endless with an unknown amount of different chemical structures. With the ability to predict future structures, this tool could be helpful in narrowing down the search for harmful synthetic drugs. Additionally, DarkNPS could shorten the length of investigations. 

The Impact Of Synthetic Drugs

In addition to bypassing drug laws, synthetic drugs are cheaper to manufacture than other substances. Because they are created chemically, the supply chain needed to make and distribute synthetic drugs is reduced which can lead to more profits. The potency of synthetic substances also contributes to their appeal to manufacturers who can sell smaller amounts with the same effects. These substances are also frequently mixed with other more expensive drugs to lower production costs. 

The mixing of synthetic substances is one of the main reasons that using them is so dangerous. This is especially true for Fentanyl which is a synthetic Opioid and one of the leading causes of overdose deaths in the US. Originally created to treat cancer related pain, Fentanyl is 80 to 100 times stronger than Morphine. This synthetic Opioid is frequently used to cut Heroin, unbeknownst to users. Because Fentanyl is almost impossible to detect, the amount present is very unpredictable.  

When individuals unknowingly consume a synthetic substance, there is a high chance for addiction, health issues, and overdose. Just last week, it was reported that US overdose deaths reached over 100,000 in the past year. This record-breaking number indicated an increase in synthetic Opioid overdose deaths as well. 

The AI tool created by UBC could be useful in preventing future overdose deaths from synthetic drugs. According to the study’s authors, several authorities from around the world have expressed interest in utilizing DarkNPS. 

The post AI Tool Can Now Easily Identify Synthetic Drugs appeared first on Addiction Center.

On Wednesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released data showing that overdose deaths have hit a record-breaking high: more than 100,000 fatalities due to drug overdoses, many of them caused by Fentanyl, occurred in the 12-month span that concluded in April of this year.

CNN contextualized the scope of the statistic in its reporting; an article published by the outlet reveals that deaths increased “28.5% from the same period a year earlier…nearly doubling over the past five years.”

Almost 2 in every 3 deaths are due to Synthetic Opioids, and within that class Fentanyl is the most deadly.

There’s speculation that the pandemic has facilitated the spread of drugs like Fentanyl, and that potent and synthesizable substances are appealing to drug traffickers who must contend with lockdown measures and may only have so much physical storage space with which to move their product.

Experts tend to agree that the long-term solution to the overdose crisis involves making addiction treatment, like the kind offered by inpatient and outpatient rehab, available to more Americans. In the meantime, however, state governments and law enforcement agencies are taking steps to act against Fentanyl — and a new model law released by the current administration may lead to more access to lifesaving medications that can help prevent further tragedy.

The Fight Against Fentanyl Ramps Up

The same day that the CDC released the new data, Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs Secretary Jen Smith stressed the importance of carrying Naloxone (also called Narcan), a medication that can save lives by undoing the effect Opioids have in the brain and reversing an overdose.

Secretary Smith stated, “You never know when you may come across an individual suffering from an overdose. There are numerous ways [to] access life-saving naloxone…we’re here today to encourage that people take advantage of those resources.”

Pennsylvania has County and Regional Centralized Coordinating Entities (CCEs) that work with first responders to distribute Naloxone. Many states may have similar programs; in all 50 states, Naloxone is available with no prescription and may be obtained at a local pharmacy.

The medication is safe to use and relatively easy to administer, does not generally cause any side effects, and doesn’t get the user high.

At the same time that everyday Americans are being asked to step up and learn how to use Naloxone to save lives, law enforcement agencies are coming down hard on Fentanyl suppliers.

A day before the CDC released their data, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) declared that it would begin more thoroughly and systematically pursuing Fentanyl dealers, especially when 1 dealer or group of dealers is seen to be responsible for multiple instance of the drug being distributed.

Assistant Chief Bea Girmala said that it was important to not merely address the currently unfolding crisis but also ask “What does the supply chain look like…can we link it to any particular dealer or an establishment where maybe people had frequented prior to the overdose?”

The LAPD said it would work with the DEA to dismantle and bring justice to Fentanyl suppliers; many law enforcement agencies across the country are doing the same.

New Model Law Could Provide Solution

On Wednesday, the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy gave states a legal template that might be used to increase access to Naloxone across the nation. As Bloomberg Law reported, “The model law would promote educational initiatives on the benefits of drugs like Naloxone, create a pilot program for bystanders to access the drug, and grant legal protections for people who administer it.”

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It could be beneficial to open up access to Naloxone in more places around the country; though it is legal without a prescription in all states, laws are very different across different jurisdictions. Furthermore, in many states, individuals who administer Naloxone could potentially be criminally charged for their behavior. Legal shields that would prevent something like that from happening could go a long way toward saving lives that might otherwise be lost to Fentanyl or drugs like it.

According to the White House, the administration is committed to increasing “access to evidence-based prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and recovery support services…In addition to these actions, the President’s FY22 budget request calls for a $41.0 billion investment for national drug program agencies.”

The post Overdose Deaths Exceed 100K, Fentanyl To Blame appeared first on Addiction Center.

Last Friday, Grammy nominated rapper, Fetty Wap, pled not guilty to federal drug charges based on his alleged involvement with a bicoastal drug ring. Fetty Wap, whose legal name is Willie Jr. Maxwell II, was arrested 1 day prior at Citi Field where he was set to perform at the Rolling Loud music festival.

The 30-year-old “Trap Queen” singer, who is originally from Patterson, New Jersey, has been charged with 1 count of conspiring to distribute and possess controlled substances. Officials have said that Fetty Wap, and 5 others who have been linked to this case, were running a multi-million dollar drug organization.

US Attorney Breon Peace told CNN that the group was distributing more than 100 kilograms, or 220 pounds, of Cocaine, Heroin, Fentanyl, and Crack throughout Long Island, New York and parts of New Jersey. Peace also added that the selling of these highly addictive substances was deliberately contributing to the Opioid crisis that is affecting communities in NY, NJ, and the country as a whole. It is believed that this distribution occurred over a 1 year period beginning in June of 2019.

Fetty Wap’s C0-Defendants

Five other individuals involved in this drug organization were also listed on the same indictment. Over the past month, Fetty Wap’s co-defendants have been arrested and arraigned on separate days. Those charged with the indictment that was unsealed last week include: Anthony Leonard (47), Robert Leonardi (26), Brian Sullivan (26), Kavaughn Wiggins (26), and Anthony Cyntje (23). Cyntje is a former New Jersey corrections officer. Sullivan, Anthony Leonardi, and Cyntje also faced drug trafficking charges when local authorities in Suffolk County seized 17 kilograms of Cocaine, 2 kilograms of Heroin, and $1.5 million in cash.

Suffolk County district attorney, Timothy D. Sini, said in a statement, “They were wholesale drug dealers who pumped massive quantities of narcotics into our communities. The magnitude of this operation was enormous.”

Prosecutors have said that the Leonardi brothers, Sullivan, and Wiggins were tasked with purchasing illicit substances on the West Coast and then transporting them back to the East. They believe Cyntje transported Cocaine from Long Island into New Jersey while Fetty Wap was a “Kilogram level redistributor.” To get the substances into the area, the group was allegedly mailing through the United States Postal Service and hiring drivers with hidden compartments for storing drugs. Five of the 6 defendants in this indictment were charged with using firearms in relation to their drug trafficking activity.

Authorities revealed that during their yearlong investigation, $1.5 million in cash, numerous Fentanyl pills, 10 kilograms of Cocaine, 2 kilograms of Heroin, 2 9-millimeter handguns, 2 pistols, a rifle and ammunition have been recovered. They also believe that the group was using Long Island as their base of operations.

The Overdose Epidemic

Some of the substances distributed by Fetty Wap and his co-defendants are often linked to overdose deaths in the US. Opioids, like Heroin, were the leading cause of overdose deaths last year. Fentanyl, a synthetic Opioid that can be 80 to 100 times stronger than Morphine, was second to Opioids when it came to being linked to overdose deaths in 2020. Additionally, the US saw its highest recorded number of overdose deaths in a 12 month period last year with over 96,000 casualties. This was a 29.6% increase from the previous year.

“The pipeline of drugs in this investigation ran thousands of miles from the West Coast to the communities here in our area, contributing to the addiction and overdose epidemic we have seen time and time again tear people’s lives apart,” said FBI assistant director-in-charge, Michael J. Driscoll.

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Fetty Wap’s Involvement And Arraignment

Fetty Wap, who gained fame in 2015, has not been prominent in pop culture for a few years. CBS New York reported that a source said the rapper turned to drug dealing due to lack of money and prestige. In the past year, Fetty Wap has experienced great tragedy with the loss of his 4 year-old daughter, who had an heart ailment, and the death of his brother, who was shot in Paterson, NJ. Both have been said to have affected Fetty Wap deeply.

The day after he was arrested shortly before his 4:45 pm scheduled performance, Fetty Wap had a video conference with federal court in Central Islip, NY. During his arraignment, Fetty Wap pled not guilty to these charges. He did not seek bail and was held in detention following the hearing. Fetty Wap’s charges carry a minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum of life in prison. It has been reported that Fetty Wap has been in negotiations with his lawyer over the past few days. This may indicate that a plea bargain is being discussed.

Driscoll also said in his recent statement, “The fact that we arrested a chart-topping rap artist and a corrections officer as part of the conspiracy illustrates just how vile the drug trade industry has become.”

The post Fetty Wap Faces Charges For Multi-Million Dollar Drug Ring appeared first on Addiction Center.

Finding a solution to the number of increasing Meth-related overdose deaths and related public health costs has been an important focus for California legislation over the past few months. A bill proposed by state Senator Scott Weiner, Senate Bill 110, suggested that an incentivized treatment program called contingency management be made more widely available. This bill hoped to make it so Medi-Cal, California’s medical assistance program, would cover this type of treatment.

Weiner’s Recovery Incentives Act was passed in both the Assembly and the Senate with bipartisan, unanimous support earlier this month. Despite voicing his support for contingency management programs, California Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed the bill this week. Newsom stated that he is hesitant to pass the bill without knowing the results of the state’s previously approved contingency management pilot program. This pilot program will begin in January, 2022 and will last until March, 2024.

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What Is Contingency Management?

Contingency management incorporates incentivized payments into addiction treatment. Those attempting to recover from a Meth or Cocaine addiction are rewarded with money or gift cards when they remain abstinent from these substances. Routine drug tests are used to determine if these payments will be awarded or not.

San Francisco resident, Billy Lemon, told his experience with contingency management to NPR. Lemon participated in a contingency management program with the San Francisco AIDS Foundation while trying to recover from an addiction to Meth. Each week, Lemon was tested 3 times. When the tests yielded a negative result, Lemon was given $7. By the end of 12 weeks, Lemon had earned $330 which he used to purchase a cell phone. Lemon said the program was more than just a way to get money for him, saying that it felt like he was being told “good job” for not using Meth. This gave him a sense of self-worth which has motivated him to still be sober today, 9 years later.

How Effective Is Paying Drug Users?

Many people who are addicted to Meth or other substances begin using drugs to cope with other aspects of their life. The highs that come from drug use provide a temporary relief. This fleeting relief rewires the reward system in the brain which causes an addiction. Drug use becomes an immediate reinforcement. Initially, recovering from substance abuse is typically the opposite of a reward as positive results are not immediate. Those going into recovery for substance abuse experience the most unpleasant and difficult effects early on during the detox process. The payments involved in contingency management programs are designed to provide immediate rewards into treatment.

For Meth and Cocaine addictions, contingency management is the most effective treatment according to some studies. This is particularly true when combined with behavioral therapy. At the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, 63% of those who participated in a 2019 contingency management program completely stopped using Meth. Since 2011, the federal government has been utilizing a contingency management program for veterans who struggle with drug use. A study of this veteran program examined 73,000 drug tests and showed that 92% were negative.

It is thought that in allowing more insurance coverage for contingency management programs, more drug treatment centers will be encouraged to offer it. This would be a huge improvement as there are currently no effective available treatment medications for Meth or Cocaine addictions. Whereas for Opioids there are 3 FDA approved medications. Those opposed to making contingency management programs more accessible are unsure about paying those who use Meth to stop using drugs. Some view this type of reward as an unethical bribe.

The Current State Of Meth Use

Drug overdose deaths are on the rise all over the US with a reported 93,000 occurring in the year 2020. Between the years of 2015 and 2019 the number of Meth related overdose deaths has almost tripled. In California, more individuals died of Meth and Cocaine overdose than from Fentanyl last year. Higher-risk use patterns and the popularity of injecting Meth may have contributed to this increase. Injecting Meth has also been linked to HIV transmission through needle sharing and lowered inhibitions that can lead to unprotected sexual activity.

According to US News, there has been a 585% increase in Meth related heart failures in California. When heart failure occurs the heart becomes too weak to properly pump blood causing symptoms of fatigue, breathlessness, and heart palpitations. Because chronic Meth use persistently activates sympathetic nervous systems, heart failure can lead to high blood pressure, increased heart rate, and heart arteries being narrowed and hardened.

People hospitalized for Meth related heart failure tend to stay in the hospital longer and have more procedures performed. This results in higher hospitalization costs. Meth related heart failure hospitalization costs rose from $41.5 million in 2008 to $390.2 million in 2018. Those in favor of contingency management programs believe making them more available could save California money, despite the payments included in the program. With Meth use leading to more crime, it currently costs $81,000 to put a person in a California jail for one year. In comparison, most contingency programs cost $6,000 per person each year.

The Future Of Contingency Management

Although Newsom has rejected making contingency management programs more accessible, the state will be moving forward with the approved pilot program. Newsom’s support of the treatment approach is promising for what’s to come after the pilot program concludes. The Biden Administration has also shown support for contingency management programs when the topic was addressed in the 2021 Drug Control Policy. “Identify and address policy barriers related to contingency management,” was listed as one of Biden’s 2021 drug policy goals. Washington, West Virginia, and Montana are also looking to make contingency management more accessible.

The post Contingency Management Test To Pay Drug Users In California appeared first on Addiction Center.