The discovery of cocaine in the White House has rocked the administration. The incident has not only prompted an in-depth probe but also subjected the White House to a barrage of questions as to how the drug made its way to a highly-guarded complex? Watch more in this interview with a Commentator on Fentanyl epidemic, Robert G Kanter.

US flags China's role in drug menace

The United States justice department has filed criminal charges against four Chinese companies accused of trafficking materials used to create the addictive painkiller fentanyl.

US charges Chinese companies with trafficking fentanyl materials

The United States Justice Department on Friday (June 23) slapped criminal charges against four Chinese chemical manufacturing companies and eight individuals. Allegations against these companies and individuals are that they illegally trafficked chemicals which are used to make fentanyl, a highly addictive painkiller&nbsp;mainly&nbsp;responsible for the opioid crisis in the US.

The indictment represents the first time the US has gone ahead to prosecute Chinese companies for making precursor chemicals that are used to make the highly addictive painkiller being misused as a drug.&nbsp;

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited China earlier this week. He made clear that the US needs much greater cooperation from China to stem the flow of fentanyl.&nbsp;

During Blinken's visit, China and the US agreed to stabilise their rivalry so that an unintended conflict does not occur. But the visit failed to produce any major breakthrough. The diplomatic strain between the two countries reapeared when US President Joe Biden regarded Chinese President Xi Jinping as a 'dictator'.

The companies in the focus of the three separate indictments face allegations that they sold the precursor chemicals to the Sinaloa Cartel in Mexico which has funnelled the drug into the US.

Prosecutors have said that these companies published&nbsp;advertisements of the precursor chemicals on social media platforms in Mexico and the United States and they made use of fake customs forms and mislabelled packages in order to ship the precursor chemicals by boat and air.

"These companies and their employees knowingly conspired to manufacture deadly fentanyl for distribution in the United States," said US Attorney General Merrick Garland.

"Just one of these China-based chemical companies shipped more than 200 kg of fentanyl-related precursor chemicals to the US for the purpose of making 50 kg&nbsp;fentanyl, a quantity that could contain enough deadly doses of fentanyl to kill 25 million Americans," he said further.

Charged in three separate cases filed in federal court in New York were against Hubei Amarvel Biotech Co, Anhui Rencheng Technology Co, Anhui Moker New Material Technology Co, and Hefei GSK Trade Co.

The eight individuals who have been charged include executives and employees of the four companies. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

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The United States Justice Department on Friday (June 23) slapped criminal charges against four Chinese chemical manufacturing companies and eight individuals. Allegations against these companies and individuals are that they illegally trafficked chemicals which are used to make fentanyl, a highly addictive painkiller mainly responsible for the opioid crisis in the US.

The United States Justice Department on Friday (June 23) slapped criminal charges against four Chinese chemical manufacturing companies and eight individuals. Allegations against these companies and individuals are that they illegally trafficked chemicals which are used to make fentanyl, a highly addictive painkiller mainly responsible for the opioid crisis in the US. The indictment represents the first time the US has gone ahead to prosecute Chinese companies for making precursor chemicals that are used to make the highly addictive painkiller being misused as a drug. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited China earlier this week. He made clear that the US needs much greater cooperation from China to stem the flow of fentanyl. During Blinken's visit, China and the US agreed to stabilise their rivalry so that an unintended conflict does not occur. But the visit failed to produce any major breakthrough. The diplomatic strain between the two countries reapeared when US President Joe Biden regarded Chinese President Xi Jinping as a 'dictator'. The companies in the focus of the three separate indictments face allegations that they sold the precursor chemicals to the Sinaloa Cartel in Mexico which has funnelled the drug into the US. Prosecutors have said that these companies published advertisements of the precursor chemicals on social media platforms in Mexico and the United States and they made use of fake customs forms and mislabelled packages in order to ship the precursor chemicals by boat and air. "These companies and their employees knowingly conspired to manufacture deadly fentanyl for distribution in the United States," said US Attorney General Merrick Garland. "Just one of these China-based chemical companies shipped more than 200 kg of fentanyl-related precursor chemicals to the US for the purpose of making 50 kg fentanyl, a quantity that could contain enough deadly doses of fentanyl to kill 25 million Americans," he said further. Charged in three separate cases filed in federal court in New York were against Hubei Amarvel Biotech Co, Anhui Rencheng Technology Co, Anhui Moker New Material Technology Co, and Hefei GSK Trade Co. The eight individuals who have been charged include executives and employees of the four companies. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

US files charges against four Chinese firms, 8 executives for fentanyl production

Police arrested Kouri Richins, 33, in May for the aggravated murder of her husband, Eric Richins, 39. Authorities have also charged her with multiple counts of drug possession. According to the probable cause statement in the charging document, cops found Eric dead at the foot of their bed in 2022.

Kouri, a mother of three, has authored a children's book on the grief she encountered after her husband's death. She also appeared on Good Things Utah segment on Salt Lake City ABC affiliate KTVX to promote her book, ABC News reported. During the show, she mentioned that her husband of nine years passed away unexpectedly, and his death shocked the family.

There were three witnesses at the detention hearing. The first witness was the case's lead detective, Jeff O'Driscoll. He answered questions from the defence and prosecutors. Moreover, a digital and financial forensics investigator testified at the court hearing on Monday.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="www.wionews.com/technology/spotify-fined-5million-for-breach-of-data-rules-in-sweden-604035">Spotify fined $5million for breach of data rules in Sweden</a>

According to reports, Kouri Richins became teary as the lead detective described the scene of her husband's death. O'Driscoll mentioned that Kouri said&nbsp;to have attempted CPR on her husband. However, the emergency medical technician informed O'Driscoll that Eric Richins began foaming at the mouth when the medical team attempted CPR, a sign no one else tried reviving him before.

Eric's sister, Amy Richins, said, "He was a family man who loved fully, laughed loudly, and lived life with reckless abandon." She gave a victim impact statement at the hearing. She pleaded with the judge not to let Kouri Richins out on bail. The judge agreed and said, "The circumstances of the case weigh soundly against pretrial release."

Kouri's attorneys argued that she should be eligible for bail because there was "no substantial evidence supporting the charges." Prosecutors alleged that Kouri Richins poisoned Erin with a lethal dose of fentanyl on 3 March 2022. According to the charging document, the level of fentanyl in Eric's body was five-time the regular dosage. The autopsy determined that it was illicit fentanyl, not medical grade, which Eric ingested orally.

After the reports, detectives obtained a search warrant for their residence. Investigation revealed several conversations between Kouri and her acquaintance, who had various drug counts. The acquaintance told the police they sold fentanyl pills to Kouri six days before her husband's death.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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Police arrested Kouri Richins, 33, in May for the aggravated murder of her husband, Eric Richins, 39. Authorities have also charged her with multiple counts of drug possession.

Police arrested Kouri Richins, 33, in May for the aggravated murder of her husband, Eric Richins, 39. Authorities have also charged her with multiple counts of drug possession. According to the probable cause statement in the charging document, cops found Eric dead at the foot of their bed in 2022. Kouri, a mother of three, has authored a children's book on the grief she encountered after her husband's death. She also appeared on Good Things Utah segment on Salt Lake City ABC affiliate KTVX to promote her book, ABC News reported. During the show, she mentioned that her husband of nine years passed away unexpectedly, and his death shocked the family. There were three witnesses at the detention hearing. The first witness was the case's lead detective, Jeff O'Driscoll. He answered questions from the defence and prosecutors. Moreover, a digital and financial forensics investigator testified at the court hearing on Monday. ALSO READ | Spotify fined $5million for breach of data rules in Sweden According to reports, Kouri Richins became teary as the lead detective described the scene of her husband's death. O'Driscoll mentioned that Kouri said to have attempted CPR on her husband. However, the emergency medical technician informed O'Driscoll that Eric Richins began foaming at the mouth when the medical team attempted CPR, a sign no one else tried reviving him before. Eric's sister, Amy Richins, said, "He was a family man who loved fully, laughed loudly, and lived life with reckless abandon." She gave a victim impact statement at the hearing. She pleaded with the judge not to let Kouri Richins out on bail. The judge agreed and said, "The circumstances of the case weigh soundly against pretrial release." Kouri's attorneys argued that she should be eligible for bail because there was "no substantial evidence supporting the charges." Prosecutors alleged that Kouri Richins poisoned Erin with a lethal dose of fentanyl on 3 March 2022. According to the charging document, the level of fentanyl in Eric's body was five-time the regular dosage. The autopsy determined that it was illicit fentanyl, not medical grade, which Eric ingested orally. After the reports, detectives obtained a search warrant for their residence. Investigation revealed several conversations between Kouri and her acquaintance, who had various drug counts. The acquaintance told the police they sold fentanyl pills to Kouri six days before her husband's death. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

US: Woman accused of poisoning husband with fentanyl refused bail before trial

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador announced that his country's government is close to signing deals with China and South Korea to stop the trafficking of the synthetic drug fentanyl. The commitment of Lopez Obrador's nation to reducing fentanyl trafficking was stated during a routine press conference.

Mexico President eyes deals with China to combat Fentanyl

One in five Californian youngsters dies due to an overdose of fentanyl. As reported by the Guardian, one in five youngsters aged between 15-24 die due to an overdose of fentanyl.&nbsp;

<h2>The data reveals a shocking number of drug overdose cases</h2>

As per data presented by the consulting group California Health Policy Strategies, drug overdoses now kill two to three times as many people in the region as car accidents. Since 2017, deaths related to synthetic opioid, which is 50 times stronger than heroin, have increased by 1,027%.

As reported by the National Centre for Health Statistics (NCHS) which collects information on deaths involving drugs under the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), US, the overall drug overdose deaths rose from 2019 to 2021.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explained-what-is-xylazine-flesh-eating-zombie-medicine-fuelling-overdoses-across-us-595898">Explained: What is Xylazine? Flesh-eating ‘zombie’ medicine fuelling overdose deaths across US</a>

As per reports of the NCHS, more than 1,06,000 people in the US have died from a drug-involved overdose in 2021 alone. Deaths involving synthetic opioids other than methadone (primarily fentanyl) continued to rise with 70,601 overdose deaths reported in 2021. Those involving stimulants, including cocaine or psychostimulants with abuse potential (primarily methamphetamine), also continued to increase with 32,537 overdose deaths in 2021.&nbsp;

<h2>Additional spending by the government for an overdose medication</h2>

The recent statistics of deaths due to drug overdose has sent the government into a frenzy state, with the governor of California, Gavin Newsom, proposing an additional $172 million USD for a project distributing Naloxone - an overdose medication.

<h2>San Francisco hits the ground hard!</h2>

San Francisco has been hit particularly hard, with nearly one person dying of an accidental overdose every 10 hours. The city has seen an increase in cases of overdose, with around 200 reported cases of overdose in the first three months of 2023 as compared to 142 during the same period last year.&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;Fentanyl overdose crisis in USA: An American drug epidemic | Dark World

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<h2>Authorities search for a solution</h2>

This year, the San Franciscan government closed a key outreach center, where people were using drugs with medical supervision, and increased policing in the city’s Tenderloin district – a region that struggles with drug use.

California lawmakers on Wednesday, May 24 held the first hearing with a new committee formed to help alleviate the fentanyl crisis in the region. 
At the state level, Newsom has put around $ 1 billion USD toward efforts to alleviate the crisis. Lawmakers too, have sought to make overdose medication (Naloxone) widely available across the state.

(with inputs from agencies)

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One in five Californian youngsters dies due to an overdose of fentanyl. As reported by the Guardian, one in five youngsters aged between 15-24 die due to an overdose of fentanyl.

One in five Californian youngsters dies due to an overdose of fentanyl. As reported by the Guardian, one in five youngsters aged between 15-24 die due to an overdose of fentanyl. The data reveals a shocking number of drug overdose cases As per data presented by the consulting group California Health Policy Strategies, drug overdoses now kill two to three times as many people in the region as car accidents. Since 2017, deaths related to synthetic opioid, which is 50 times stronger than heroin, have increased by 1,027%. As reported by the National Centre for Health Statistics (NCHS) which collects information on deaths involving drugs under the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), US, the overall drug overdose deaths rose from 2019 to 2021. ALSO READ | Explained: What is Xylazine? Flesh-eating ‘zombie’ medicine fuelling overdose deaths across US As per reports of the NCHS, more than 1,06,000 people in the US have died from a drug-involved overdose in 2021 alone. Deaths involving synthetic opioids other than methadone (primarily fentanyl) continued to rise with 70,601 overdose deaths reported in 2021. Those involving stimulants, including cocaine or psychostimulants with abuse potential (primarily methamphetamine), also continued to increase with 32,537 overdose deaths in 2021. Additional spending by the government for an overdose medication The recent statistics of deaths due to drug overdose has sent the government into a frenzy state, with the governor of California, Gavin Newsom, proposing an additional $172 million USD for a project distributing Naloxone - an overdose medication. San Francisco hits the ground hard! San Francisco has been hit particularly hard, with nearly one person dying of an accidental overdose every 10 hours. The city has seen an increase in cases of overdose, with around 200 reported cases of overdose in the first three months of 2023 as compared to 142 during the same period last year. WATCH | Fentanyl overdose crisis in USA: An American drug epidemic | Dark World × Authorities search for a solution This year, the San Franciscan government closed a key outreach center, where people were using drugs with medical supervision, and increased policing in the city’s Tenderloin district – a region that struggles with drug use. California lawmakers on Wednesday, May 24 held the first hearing with a new committee formed to help alleviate the fentanyl crisis in the region. At the state level, Newsom has put around $ 1 billion USD toward efforts to alleviate the crisis. Lawmakers too, have sought to make overdose medication (Naloxone) widely available across the state. (with inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Fentanyl causes one in five deaths in young Californians

Fentanyl is the major contributor to fatal and non-fatal overdoses in the US. The powerful synthetic opioid causes most deaths of US drug users aged 18-49. As the country continues to battle the Fentanyl crisis, WION's Harshit Sabarwal tells you what is the story of this drug and who is behind its trafficking? Watch the first episode of DARK WORLD, a WION web series on global crime.

Fentanyl overdose crisis in USA: An American drug epidemic | Dark World

A report has highlighted that Israel suffers from a serious opioid problem, which might turn into an epidemic, The Times Of Israel reported. The report published by the Taub Center for Social Policy Studies noted that Israel led the world per capita in prescriptions for potent and addictive drugs in 2020. The report is based on several peer-reviewed studies.&nbsp;

The report by the media outlet mentioned that Israel was initially trailing the United States and other countries dealing with opioid epidemics since the late 1990s, but the nation unfortunately caught up in the last decade.&nbsp;

The report mentioned that fentanyl abuse, which is 50 times stronger than heroin and highly addictive, is a major contributor to Israel's current public health crisis.&nbsp;

According to the Taub Centre assessment, the situation is serious but not insurmountable. Experts in public health and addiction are collaborating with the Health Ministry on a three-year plan that incorporates the report's recommendation for a coordinated and integrated national programme, the news outlet added. &nbsp;

As quoted in the report, Prof Nadav Davidovitch said, "The watershed was about 10 years ago, because before that doctors prescribed alternatives and there was less access to opioids."&nbsp;

"It wasn't as easy for patients to get them as is it today," added Davidovitch, who is also the co-author of the report and the Taub Center's principal researcher and health policy programme chair, as well as head of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev's School of Public Health.&nbsp;

<h2>US on the use of fentanyl</h2>

US Ambassador to Mexico Ken Salazar said on Saturday earlier this month that combating fentanyl, a deadly opioid that has killed tens of thousands of Americans, requires a global strategy similar to the one undertaken against coronavirus (COVID-19).&nbsp;

Salazar said. "The world has to unite, this is not just about the United States and Mexico. The governments of Europe are seeing what is happening with fentanyl. We know that other countries in Latin America are now looking at it with much more interest because it is a poison."&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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A report has highlighted that Israel suffers from a serious opioid problem, which might turn into an epidemic, The Times Of Israel reported. The report published by the Taub Center for Social Policy Studies noted that Israel led the world per capita in prescriptions for potent and addictive drugs in 2020.

A report has highlighted that Israel suffers from a serious opioid problem, which might turn into an epidemic, The Times Of Israel reported. The report published by the Taub Center for Social Policy Studies noted that Israel led the world per capita in prescriptions for potent and addictive drugs in 2020. The report is based on several peer-reviewed studies. The report by the media outlet mentioned that Israel was initially trailing the United States and other countries dealing with opioid epidemics since the late 1990s, but the nation unfortunately caught up in the last decade. The report mentioned that fentanyl abuse, which is 50 times stronger than heroin and highly addictive, is a major contributor to Israel's current public health crisis. According to the Taub Centre assessment, the situation is serious but not insurmountable. Experts in public health and addiction are collaborating with the Health Ministry on a three-year plan that incorporates the report's recommendation for a coordinated and integrated national programme, the news outlet added. As quoted in the report, Prof Nadav Davidovitch said, "The watershed was about 10 years ago, because before that doctors prescribed alternatives and there was less access to opioids." "It wasn't as easy for patients to get them as is it today," added Davidovitch, who is also the co-author of the report and the Taub Center's principal researcher and health policy programme chair, as well as head of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev's School of Public Health. US on the use of fentanyl US Ambassador to Mexico Ken Salazar said on Saturday earlier this month that combating fentanyl, a deadly opioid that has killed tens of thousands of Americans, requires a global strategy similar to the one undertaken against coronavirus (COVID-19). Salazar said. "The world has to unite, this is not just about the United States and Mexico. The governments of Europe are seeing what is happening with fentanyl. We know that other countries in Latin America are now looking at it with much more interest because it is a poison." (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Israel has a serious opioid problem, stares at addiction epidemic, reveals report

A report by the British daily newspaper, The Guardian, on Friday (April 28) found that drug-related deaths surged by 41 per cent in the United States’ city of San Francisco, California in the first quarter of this year. This rise also amounts to one person dying of an accidental overdose every 10 hours, the report noted. This comes as the US is dealing with a fentanyl crisis with many deaths reported due to this particular drug overdose.&nbsp;

In the last three months, the city witnessed the death of a total of 200 people, as opposed to 142 in the same months a year ago, said the report citing data from the city’s medical examiner.&nbsp;

The spike in deaths was noted in the month of December, last year and continued till January with 82 people losing their lives, the city’s overdose fatalities were at an all-time high. Furthermore, fentanyl was detected in most of the deaths, reported The Guardian.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explained-fentanyl-seized-in-2022-enough-to-kill-every-american-says-us-federal-drug-agency-545087">Explained: Fentanyl seized in 2022 enough to kill every American, says US federal drug agency</a>

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), fentanyl is a synthetic opioid which is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. It is also highly possible to get addicted to fentanyl.&nbsp;

Among those most affected were people living on the streets as the number of those unhoused dying of overdoses between January and March doubled when compared to a year prior, said the United Kingdom-based media outlet. Additionally, it was also found that a third of the total number of victims of overdose were Black, who only make up five per cent of the city’s population.

The city’s response

The spike in deaths was noted right after the city’s government had shut down a key outreach centre where the unhoused would take drugs under supervision and instead increased policing in San Francisco’s drug-plagued Tenderloin district.&nbsp;

The Tenderloin Center would provide daytime shelter for the unhoused, along with housing referrals, food, addiction treatment and health services, reported The Guardian.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/fentanyl-50x-more-potent-than-heroin-as-an-analgesic-us-india-working-to-fix-the-problem-580104">Fentanyl, 50x more potent than heroin as an analgesic | 'U.S. &amp; India working to fix the problem'</a>

Additionally, the centre had also reversed 330 opiate overdoses in the 11 months using Narcan, which is a life-saving medication used to treat an opioid overdose, said the media report citing city’s data.&nbsp;

The centre which served more than 400 people daily was shut down by San Francisco Mayor, London Breed who said she had been disappointed by the low number of visitors at the centre who ultimately accepted help to get off of drugs. She also sought millions to increase police overtime with a priority on arresting drug dealers.&nbsp;

How is that going?

This move is said to have backfired on the government as it has since led to the isolation of drug users where they are more at risk of overdose deaths, said Gary McCoy of HealthRIGHT 360, a nonprofit which ran the drug overdose prevention portion of the Tenderloin Center.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fentanyl-blend-with-xylazine-the-vet-medicine-causes-havoc-in-us-hot-drug-zones-551423">Fentanyl blend with xylazine, the vet medicine, causes havoc in US hot drug zones</a>

“When people don’t have a safe place to go, when they’re using in doorways and public places and they’re afraid of getting caught and put in jail, they tend to rush and use more substance,” said McCoy. He added, “And when they rush, there’s a higher risk of overdose.” 
 
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A report by the British daily newspaper, The Guardian, on Friday (April 28) found that drug-related deaths surged by 41 per cent in the United States’ city of San Francisco, California in the first quarter of this year.

A report by the British daily newspaper, The Guardian, on Friday (April 28) found that drug-related deaths surged by 41 per cent in the United States’ city of San Francisco, California in the first quarter of this year. This rise also amounts to one person dying of an accidental overdose every 10 hours, the report noted. This comes as the US is dealing with a fentanyl crisis with many deaths reported due to this particular drug overdose. In the last three months, the city witnessed the death of a total of 200 people, as opposed to 142 in the same months a year ago, said the report citing data from the city’s medical examiner. The spike in deaths was noted in the month of December, last year and continued till January with 82 people losing their lives, the city’s overdose fatalities were at an all-time high. Furthermore, fentanyl was detected in most of the deaths, reported The Guardian. ALSO READ | Explained: Fentanyl seized in 2022 enough to kill every American, says US federal drug agency According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), fentanyl is a synthetic opioid which is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. It is also highly possible to get addicted to fentanyl. Among those most affected were people living on the streets as the number of those unhoused dying of overdoses between January and March doubled when compared to a year prior, said the United Kingdom-based media outlet. Additionally, it was also found that a third of the total number of victims of overdose were Black, who only make up five per cent of the city’s population. The city’s response The spike in deaths was noted right after the city’s government had shut down a key outreach centre where the unhoused would take drugs under supervision and instead increased policing in San Francisco’s drug-plagued Tenderloin district. The Tenderloin Center would provide daytime shelter for the unhoused, along with housing referrals, food, addiction treatment and health services, reported The Guardian. ALSO WATCH | Fentanyl, 50x more potent than heroin as an analgesic | 'U.S. & India working to fix the problem' Additionally, the centre had also reversed 330 opiate overdoses in the 11 months using Narcan, which is a life-saving medication used to treat an opioid overdose, said the media report citing city’s data. The centre which served more than 400 people daily was shut down by San Francisco Mayor, London Breed who said she had been disappointed by the low number of visitors at the centre who ultimately accepted help to get off of drugs. She also sought millions to increase police overtime with a priority on arresting drug dealers. How is that going? This move is said to have backfired on the government as it has since led to the isolation of drug users where they are more at risk of overdose deaths, said Gary McCoy of HealthRIGHT 360, a nonprofit which ran the drug overdose prevention portion of the Tenderloin Center. ALSO READ | Fentanyl blend with xylazine, the vet medicine, causes havoc in US hot drug zones “When people don’t have a safe place to go, when they’re using in doorways and public places and they’re afraid of getting caught and put in jail, they tend to rush and use more substance,” said McCoy. He added, “And when they rush, there’s a higher risk of overdose.” WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Every 10 hours, one person died due to drug-related overdose, in San Francisco this year: Report

The United States Justice Department, on Friday (April 14), charged 28 members of Mexico’s powerful Sinaloa cartel, which includes sons of infamous drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, with running a fentanyl trafficking operation, said Attorney General Merrick Garland. The indictments have also charged Chinese and Guatemalan citizens in response to what the officials have called one of the most ambitious crackdowns on the drug epidemic plaguing the US.&nbsp;

Who has been charged, sanctioned or arrested, so far?

Over two dozen members of the Sinaloa Cartel’s Chapitos network were charged out of which eight were arrested in Colombia, Greece, Guatemala and the US who were involved in trafficking what the country’s Drug Enforcement Administration chief Anne Milgram called the “greatest threat to Americans today.”&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-seeking-indias-help-in-fentanyl-epidemic-580098">US seeks India’s assistance in tackling fentanyl menace with multi-pronged strategy</a>

Additionally, the Chinese and Guatemalan citizens were charged with supplying precursor chemicals required to make fentanyl. Three of Guzman’s sons also known as the Chapitos, or little Chapos, Ovidio Guzmán López, Jesús Alfredo Guzmán Salazar and Iván Archivaldo Guzmán Sálazar were charged out of whom only Guzmán López is in the custody of Mexican officials.&nbsp;

US prosecutors have also charged four owners of Chinese chemical and pharmaceutical companies for allegedly providing the precursor chemicals to the cartel to create the illicit drug. This also comes after the US Treasury Department, on Friday, sanctioned China-based chemical companies Wuhan Shuokang Biological Technology Co Ltd and Suzhou Xiaoli Pharmatech Co Ltd.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/mexican-president-cites-lack-of-hugs-for-drug-abuse-in-us-573401">Mexican President cites 'lack of hugs' for drug abuse in U.S.</a> 
 
“The PRC (People’s Republic of China) government must stop the unchecked flow of fentanyl precursor chemicals that are coming out of China,” said Garland.&nbsp;

What have the US officials said about the crackdown?

Garland alongside Milgram and other top federal prosecutors, in a press conference, unveiled three indictments aimed at hitting the cartel’s global network. During the announcement, the attorney general outlined some of the heinous violent crimes allegedly committed by the Sinaloa cartel like the torture of perceived enemies including Mexican law enforcement officials.&nbsp;

According to Garland, rival drug traffickers were fed to the Chapitos’ tigers dead or alive, one woman was injected repeatedly with fentanyl until she died, and other victims were tortured via electrocution and waterboarding. “The cases we are announcing today exemplify the comprehensive approach the Justice Department is taking to disrupt and hold accountable those who bear significant responsibility for this fentanyl epidemic,” said the attorney general.&nbsp;

Impact of Fentanyl on the US

“They know that they're poisoning and killing Americans. They just don't care because they make billions of dollars doing it,” said Milgram. She added, “Their greed is shocking and without bounds.” In 2021, a record number of nearly 107,000 Americans lost their lives to drug overdoses in the US.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explained-fentanyl-seized-in-2022-enough-to-kill-every-american-says-us-federal-drug-agency-545087">Explained: Fentanyl seized in 2022 enough to kill every American, says US federal drug agency</a>

The DEA, in 2022 said that they seized enough fentanyl to kill every American. Last year, more than 379 million potentially deadly doses of fentanyl which included more than 50.6 million fentanyl-laced, fake prescription pills and more than 10,000 pounds of fentanyl powder, were seized by the country’s drug agency. They also said that most of the fentanyl trafficked in the US comes from the Sinaloa cartel.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
 
&nbsp;

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The United States Justice Department, on Friday (April 14), charged 28 members of Mexico’s powerful Sinaloa cartel, which includes sons of infamous drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, with running a fentanyl trafficking operation, said Attorney General Merrick Garland.

The United States Justice Department, on Friday (April 14), charged 28 members of Mexico’s powerful Sinaloa cartel, which includes sons of infamous drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, with running a fentanyl trafficking operation, said Attorney General Merrick Garland. The indictments have also charged Chinese and Guatemalan citizens in response to what the officials have called one of the most ambitious crackdowns on the drug epidemic plaguing the US. Who has been charged, sanctioned or arrested, so far? Over two dozen members of the Sinaloa Cartel’s Chapitos network were charged out of which eight were arrested in Colombia, Greece, Guatemala and the US who were involved in trafficking what the country’s Drug Enforcement Administration chief Anne Milgram called the “greatest threat to Americans today.” ALSO READ | US seeks India’s assistance in tackling fentanyl menace with multi-pronged strategy Additionally, the Chinese and Guatemalan citizens were charged with supplying precursor chemicals required to make fentanyl. Three of Guzman’s sons also known as the Chapitos, or little Chapos, Ovidio Guzmán López, Jesús Alfredo Guzmán Salazar and Iván Archivaldo Guzmán Sálazar were charged out of whom only Guzmán López is in the custody of Mexican officials. US prosecutors have also charged four owners of Chinese chemical and pharmaceutical companies for allegedly providing the precursor chemicals to the cartel to create the illicit drug. This also comes after the US Treasury Department, on Friday, sanctioned China-based chemical companies Wuhan Shuokang Biological Technology Co Ltd and Suzhou Xiaoli Pharmatech Co Ltd. ALSO WATCH | Mexican President cites 'lack of hugs' for drug abuse in U.S. “The PRC (People’s Republic of China) government must stop the unchecked flow of fentanyl precursor chemicals that are coming out of China,” said Garland. What have the US officials said about the crackdown? Garland alongside Milgram and other top federal prosecutors, in a press conference, unveiled three indictments aimed at hitting the cartel’s global network. During the announcement, the attorney general outlined some of the heinous violent crimes allegedly committed by the Sinaloa cartel like the torture of perceived enemies including Mexican law enforcement officials. According to Garland, rival drug traffickers were fed to the Chapitos’ tigers dead or alive, one woman was injected repeatedly with fentanyl until she died, and other victims were tortured via electrocution and waterboarding. “The cases we are announcing today exemplify the comprehensive approach the Justice Department is taking to disrupt and hold accountable those who bear significant responsibility for this fentanyl epidemic,” said the attorney general. Impact of Fentanyl on the US “They know that they're poisoning and killing Americans. They just don't care because they make billions of dollars doing it,” said Milgram. She added, “Their greed is shocking and without bounds.” In 2021, a record number of nearly 107,000 Americans lost their lives to drug overdoses in the US. ALSO READ | Explained: Fentanyl seized in 2022 enough to kill every American, says US federal drug agency The DEA, in 2022 said that they seized enough fentanyl to kill every American. Last year, more than 379 million potentially deadly doses of fentanyl which included more than 50.6 million fentanyl-laced, fake prescription pills and more than 10,000 pounds of fentanyl powder, were seized by the country’s drug agency. They also said that most of the fentanyl trafficked in the US comes from the Sinaloa cartel. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

US charges El Chapo sons, Chinese businessmen amid crackdown on fentanyl network

India and US have joined hands to tackle the menacing fentanyl crisis by increasing efforts to foil attempts of its supply at borders and cracking down on its networking, PTI news agency reported quoting a top health official in the Joe Biden administration.&nbsp;

Dr. Rahul Gupta, Director of Office of National Drug Control Policy, a position which is popularly known as Drug Czar, told PTI news agency that both the nations share a robust working relationship to work in this direction. The official also emphasised the importance of both the countries coming&nbsp;together to increase public awareness about the risks associated with fentanyl use and improving access to treatment for addiction. 
 
He said there is a need for continued cooperation and collaboration between India and US to address the global issue of fentanyl abuse.

"India has been very enthusiastic working with the United States to address this (fentanyl problem) because it understands the significance at a global level of leadership," he said.&nbsp;

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/king-charles-backs-research-to-investigate-links-between-royal-family-and-slavery-579975">King Charles backs research to investigate links between royal family and slavery</a>

Dr. Gupta acknowledged India's position as a pioneer in combating the fentanyl crisis and said that the two nations are collaborating on various associated problems, including addiction, treatment options, and the overlap between mental health and addiction.

The Indian pharmaceutical industry, one of the largest in the world, can also play a critical role, he added.&nbsp;

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-posing-as-fraud-prevention-specialist-dupes-many-us-elderly-gets-33-months-prison-term-579966">Indian posing as fraud prevention specialist dupes many US elderly, gets 33 months prison term</a>

Dr. Gupta referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remark that India is the world's pharmacy and noted including bilateral working ties on synthetic medicines, mental health, and the pharmaceutical industry.

Expressing the enthusiasm in this realm, he said that the governments of the United States and India are collaborating to ensure that they are both reviewing their scheduling procedures.

Gupta said it&nbsp;is crucial for people to carry Naloxone or Narcan, an antidote for opioids like fentanyl, since they may be saving the lives of their loved ones.&nbsp;We must stress to young people how powerful they are, how they may save the lives of others, and how vital it is to always have naloxone with them because we never know who would be poisoned the next time, he remarked.

Watch | Rivals Iran and Saudi Arabia hold first high-level talks in seven years

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<h2>Fentanyl menace in US&nbsp;</h2>

Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid which is highly addictive, has become a major source of concern in the United States due to its illicit use and abuse. The medicine is responsible for a growing number of overdose deaths. In addition, many people who become addicted to prescription opioids may turn to fentanyl when they are no longer able to obtain their medication legally.

<h2>Biden administration launches campaign against fentanyl&nbsp;</h2>

US President Joe Biden's administration on Thursday launched the first phase of its campaign to "educate young people on the dangers of fentanyl and the life-saving effects of Naloxone, a medicine that reverses opioid-related overdoses."&nbsp; 
 
(With inputs from agencies) 
 
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India and US have joined hands to tackle the menacing fentanyl crisis by increasing efforts to foil attempts of its supply at borders and cracking down on its networking, PTI news agency reported quoting a top health official in the Joe Biden administration.

India and US have joined hands to tackle the menacing fentanyl crisis by increasing efforts to foil attempts of its supply at borders and cracking down on its networking, PTI news agency reported quoting a top health official in the Joe Biden administration. Dr. Rahul Gupta, Director of Office of National Drug Control Policy, a position which is popularly known as Drug Czar, told PTI news agency that both the nations share a robust working relationship to work in this direction. The official also emphasised the importance of both the countries coming together to increase public awareness about the risks associated with fentanyl use and improving access to treatment for addiction. He said there is a need for continued cooperation and collaboration between India and US to address the global issue of fentanyl abuse. "India has been very enthusiastic working with the United States to address this (fentanyl problem) because it understands the significance at a global level of leadership," he said. Also Read | King Charles backs research to investigate links between royal family and slavery Dr. Gupta acknowledged India's position as a pioneer in combating the fentanyl crisis and said that the two nations are collaborating on various associated problems, including addiction, treatment options, and the overlap between mental health and addiction. The Indian pharmaceutical industry, one of the largest in the world, can also play a critical role, he added. Also Read | Indian posing as fraud prevention specialist dupes many US elderly, gets 33 months prison term Dr. Gupta referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remark that India is the world's pharmacy and noted including bilateral working ties on synthetic medicines, mental health, and the pharmaceutical industry. Expressing the enthusiasm in this realm, he said that the governments of the United States and India are collaborating to ensure that they are both reviewing their scheduling procedures. Gupta said it is crucial for people to carry Naloxone or Narcan, an antidote for opioids like fentanyl, since they may be saving the lives of their loved ones. We must stress to young people how powerful they are, how they may save the lives of others, and how vital it is to always have naloxone with them because we never know who would be poisoned the next time, he remarked. Watch | Rivals Iran and Saudi Arabia hold first high-level talks in seven years × Fentanyl menace in US Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid which is highly addictive, has become a major source of concern in the United States due to its illicit use and abuse. The medicine is responsible for a growing number of overdose deaths. In addition, many people who become addicted to prescription opioids may turn to fentanyl when they are no longer able to obtain their medication legally. Biden administration launches campaign against fentanyl US President Joe Biden's administration on Thursday launched the first phase of its campaign to "educate young people on the dangers of fentanyl and the life-saving effects of Naloxone, a medicine that reverses opioid-related overdoses." (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

US seeks India’s assistance in tackling fentanyl menace with multi-pronged strategy

In recent years, the drug Fentanyl has fuelled a surge in US Opioid overdose deaths. A potent synthetic opioid drug, Fentanyl is approximately 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin as an analgesic.

Fentanyl, 50x more potent than heroin as an analgesic | 'U.S. & India working to fix the problem'

The growing number of young Americans dying due to drug overdose is because the families in the United States do not hug their kids enough, Mexico's President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said while referring to the ongoing fentanyl crisis in the U.S. whose origin is blamed on Mexican drug cartels.&nbsp;

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid drug, which the drug control authorities in the United States say, comes from Mexico. Fentanyl overdose results in about 70,000 deaths in the United States every year.

The Mexican president denied the accusation that Mexico produces fentanyl, adding that the family systems have broken down in the United States and parents do not let their children live at home long enough up to a certain age.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/president-obrador-calls-mexico-safer-than-us-despite-recent-kidnappings-571714">President Obrador calls Mexico safer than US despite recent kidnappings</a>

President Andrés Manuel López Obrador's comments came on Friday when he was addressing a news briefing. The Mexican president said that the U.S. drug overdose deaths emerge from "a lack of hugs, of embraces." Associated Press reported.

"There is a lot of disintegration of families, there is a lot of individualism, there is a lack of love, of brotherhood, of hugs and embraces," López Obrador said of the U.S. crisis. "That is why they (U.S. officials) should be dedicating funds to address the causes."

In the past as well, López Obrador has repeatedly said that Mexico’s tightly-held family values continue to save it from the wave of fentanyl overdoses.&nbsp;

Experts cited in the U.S. media claim that Mexican cartels make so much money from the U.S. market that they see no need to sell fentanyl in their home market.

Methamphetamines, a class of synthetic drugs, is seen to purportedly help work people work harder despite the lack of peer-reviewed scientific data on the same.

Amid the Republicans' calls for military action on drug cartels, López Obrador has retorted to the calls in the United States to designate Mexican drug gangs as terrorist organisations.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/mexicos-president-lopez-obrador-leads-supporters-in-march-through-capital-538016">Mexico's President Lopez Obrador leads supporters in march through capital</a>

Earlier on Wednesday, López Obrador called anti-drug policies in the U.S. a failure. The Mexican president proposed a ban in both countries on using fentanyl in medicine.

U.S. authorities estimate that most illegal fentanyl is produced in clandestine Mexican labs using Chinese precursor chemicals. Relatively little of the illegal market comes from diverting medicinal fentanyl used as anaesthesia in surgeries and other procedures.

Most illegal fentanyl is pressed by Mexican cartels into counterfeit pills made to look like other medications like Xanax, oxycodone, or Percocet.

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The growing number of young Americans dying due to drug overdose is because the families in the United States do not hug their kids enough, Mexico's President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said while referring to the ongoing fentanyl crisis in the U.

The growing number of young Americans dying due to drug overdose is because the families in the United States do not hug their kids enough, Mexico's President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said while referring to the ongoing fentanyl crisis in the U.S. whose origin is blamed on Mexican drug cartels. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid drug, which the drug control authorities in the United States say, comes from Mexico. Fentanyl overdose results in about 70,000 deaths in the United States every year. The Mexican president denied the accusation that Mexico produces fentanyl, adding that the family systems have broken down in the United States and parents do not let their children live at home long enough up to a certain age. ALSO READ | President Obrador calls Mexico safer than US despite recent kidnappings President Andrés Manuel López Obrador's comments came on Friday when he was addressing a news briefing. The Mexican president said that the U.S. drug overdose deaths emerge from "a lack of hugs, of embraces." Associated Press reported. "There is a lot of disintegration of families, there is a lot of individualism, there is a lack of love, of brotherhood, of hugs and embraces," López Obrador said of the U.S. crisis. "That is why they (U.S. officials) should be dedicating funds to address the causes." In the past as well, López Obrador has repeatedly said that Mexico’s tightly-held family values continue to save it from the wave of fentanyl overdoses. Experts cited in the U.S. media claim that Mexican cartels make so much money from the U.S. market that they see no need to sell fentanyl in their home market. Methamphetamines, a class of synthetic drugs, is seen to purportedly help work people work harder despite the lack of peer-reviewed scientific data on the same. Amid the Republicans' calls for military action on drug cartels, López Obrador has retorted to the calls in the United States to designate Mexican drug gangs as terrorist organisations. ALSO WATCH | Mexico's President Lopez Obrador leads supporters in march through capital Earlier on Wednesday, López Obrador called anti-drug policies in the U.S. a failure. The Mexican president proposed a ban in both countries on using fentanyl in medicine. U.S. authorities estimate that most illegal fentanyl is produced in clandestine Mexican labs using Chinese precursor chemicals. Relatively little of the illegal market comes from diverting medicinal fentanyl used as anaesthesia in surgeries and other procedures. Most illegal fentanyl is pressed by Mexican cartels into counterfeit pills made to look like other medications like Xanax, oxycodone, or Percocet. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

'Lack of love and hugs' causing drug overdose deaths in America: Mexico's President

It is a public health crisis that kills hundreds of Americans a day. More than 100,000 Americans die each year from overdoses, mostly from opioids. Fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine and now xylazine are the most abused drugs in the United States.

Has America lost the war on drugs?

Fentanyl overdose has already claimed many lives in the US. Though approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, for cancer patients fentanyl is often abused to get dope. However, as this drug menace continues, there is a new beast in Philadelphia city. Its street name is Tranq or Zombie drug. Apparently, Tranq dope is a blend of xylazine, a sedative, and usually an opioid, such as fentanyl. This blend costs less than what the same quantity of fentanyl-only product would cost and this is the reason why people are using this blend to bulk up on illicit fentanyl.&nbsp;

Despite being inexpensive, this mixture is dangerous because xylazine causes wounds to erupt with eschar, which is a scaly dead tissue. And that's not all. These wounds can result in amputation if neglected. This sedative-opioid combination can cause hours-long periods of unconsciousness. Xylazine does not have the same typical opioid overdose reversal therapies as fentanyl, a painkiller.

<h2>Not limited to Philadelphia</h2>

In 36 states and the District of Columbia, xylazine was found in the medication supply, according to a report released in June. Health officials in New York City claim that while xylazine has been discovered in 25% of medication samples, the true saturation level is undoubtedly higher. The Food and Drug Administration sent providers a four-page countrywide xylazine alert in November.

<h2>Horror story of Tracey McCann</h2>

When she was 27 years old, Tracy McCann became dependent on opioids that were administered to her following a serious car accident. Then, in 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic spread, tranq swept over Philadelphia. After using fentanyl for a prolonged period of time as a pain reliever, Tracey was accustomed to the bruises. But then things started to become nasty. She began to see that the tissue around her wounds was becoming crusty and blackened. She started losing herself because of how addicting the blend had become to her.

Now 39 years of age, she said, “I was sleeping on the sidewalks crying every night, knowing that I was better than that. Someone next to her got shot. A man tried to rape her, but she defended herself with a box cutter. On the hot summer streets, she saw people whose tranq wounds were covered with fleas and maggots."&nbsp;

“I could not pull myself away from that drug," she added. She had already made up her mind, though, and is currently in her fifth month of abstinence at an intense outpatient facility close to St. Louis. She is also in good health. She is simply proud of what she has achieved, something which was unimaginabl at one point in time.&nbsp;

<h2>Xylazine used as veterinary anesthetic</h2>

Xylazine was developed in 1962 as an anaesthetic for veterinary treatments. Because the medication caused respiratory depression and low blood pressure, human trials were stopped. It was probably used as a heroin replacement for addicts starting in the 2000s. According to some public health specialists, domestic xylazine bottles were either diverted from veterinary supply chains or bought online with a veterinary prescription during the pandemic. It gained gained popularity as an inexpensive and simple opioid filler.

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Fentanyl overdose has already claimed many lives in the US. Though approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, for cancer patients fentanyl is often abused to get dope.

Fentanyl overdose has already claimed many lives in the US. Though approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, for cancer patients fentanyl is often abused to get dope. However, as this drug menace continues, there is a new beast in Philadelphia city. Its street name is Tranq or Zombie drug. Apparently, Tranq dope is a blend of xylazine, a sedative, and usually an opioid, such as fentanyl. This blend costs less than what the same quantity of fentanyl-only product would cost and this is the reason why people are using this blend to bulk up on illicit fentanyl. Despite being inexpensive, this mixture is dangerous because xylazine causes wounds to erupt with eschar, which is a scaly dead tissue. And that's not all. These wounds can result in amputation if neglected. This sedative-opioid combination can cause hours-long periods of unconsciousness. Xylazine does not have the same typical opioid overdose reversal therapies as fentanyl, a painkiller. Not limited to Philadelphia In 36 states and the District of Columbia, xylazine was found in the medication supply, according to a report released in June. Health officials in New York City claim that while xylazine has been discovered in 25% of medication samples, the true saturation level is undoubtedly higher. The Food and Drug Administration sent providers a four-page countrywide xylazine alert in November. Horror story of Tracey McCann When she was 27 years old, Tracy McCann became dependent on opioids that were administered to her following a serious car accident. Then, in 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic spread, tranq swept over Philadelphia. After using fentanyl for a prolonged period of time as a pain reliever, Tracey was accustomed to the bruises. But then things started to become nasty. She began to see that the tissue around her wounds was becoming crusty and blackened. She started losing herself because of how addicting the blend had become to her. Now 39 years of age, she said, “I was sleeping on the sidewalks crying every night, knowing that I was better than that. Someone next to her got shot. A man tried to rape her, but she defended herself with a box cutter. On the hot summer streets, she saw people whose tranq wounds were covered with fleas and maggots." “I could not pull myself away from that drug," she added. She had already made up her mind, though, and is currently in her fifth month of abstinence at an intense outpatient facility close to St. Louis. She is also in good health. She is simply proud of what she has achieved, something which was unimaginabl at one point in time. Xylazine used as veterinary anesthetic Xylazine was developed in 1962 as an anaesthetic for veterinary treatments. Because the medication caused respiratory depression and low blood pressure, human trials were stopped. It was probably used as a heroin replacement for addicts starting in the 2000s. According to some public health specialists, domestic xylazine bottles were either diverted from veterinary supply chains or bought online with a veterinary prescription during the pandemic. It gained gained popularity as an inexpensive and simple opioid filler. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Fentanyl blend with xylazine, the vet medicine, causes havoc in US hot drug zones

America's Drug Enforcement Administration has seized nearly 4,500 kg of Fentanyl in 2022. This volume is enough to kill all 330 million Americans. Authorities say the seized drug is only a fraction of what is actually being circulated. Priyanka Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas:  Enough Fentanyl to kill every American seized in 2022

As the United States continues to struggle with an epidemic of drug overdose deaths, it might not be close to over. The country’s Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), on Tuesday, said that this year they seized enough fentanyl in 2022 to kill every American.&nbsp;

This comes after a study found drug overdoses among people aged 10 to 18 more than doubled between 2019 and 2021, earlier this year. Reports suggest that recently the American markets have been flooded with fentanyl.&nbsp;

What is fentanyl?

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), fentanyl is a synthetic opioid which is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. It is also highly possible to get addicted to fentanyl. There are two types of fentanyl:&nbsp;

Pharmaceutical fentanyl

While both are considered synthetic opioids, this type of fentanyl was developed for pain management in patients with advanced-stage cancer and is typically administered by a patch or injection at hospitals. These are also prescribed by doctors to mitigate severe pain usually after surgery.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/united-states-drug-overdose-deaths-crosses-100000-mark-12000-pounds-of-fentanyl-seized-in-2021-430250">United States: Drug overdose deaths crosses 100,000-mark, 12,000 pounds of Fentanyl seized in 2021</a> 
 
Illicitly manufactured fentanyl&nbsp;&nbsp;

On the other hand, illicitly manufactured fentanyl (IMF) is found in the drug market in different forms including powder and liquid. As mentioned earlier, fentanyl is also diverted for abuse because of its powerful opioid properties and heroin-like effect. Furthermore, it is also usually mixed or added with other drugs, “because of its extreme potency, which makes drugs cheaper, more powerful, more addictive, and more dangerous,” said the CDC.&nbsp;

It is mixed with other illicit drugs like heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine, and sold as other prescription opioids which is extremely dangerous since many people are unaware that their drugs are laced with fentanyl, which can also be disguised as highly potent heroin which often results in overdose-related deaths.&nbsp;

Fentanyl in its liquid form can be found in the form of nasal sprays, eye drops, and dropped onto paper or small candies, said the CDC.&nbsp;

Why is it used and how does it affect the body?

According to the DEA, fentanyl is used for, intense, short-term highs, temporary feelings of euphoria, slowed respiration and reduced blood pressure, nausea, fainting and seizures. It essentially affects the central nervous system and the brain to block pain signals to the rest of the body and also reduces anxiety and stress caused by the pain.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/us-walmart-proposes-to-pay-31-billion-legal-settlement-for-opioid-lawsuits-534525">US: Walmart proposes to pay $3.1 billion legal settlement for opioid lawsuits</a>

Fentanyl also produces bodily responses like&nbsp;euphoria, relaxation, pain relief, sedation, confusion, drowsiness, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, urinary retention, pupillary constriction, and respiratory depression, said the DEA.&nbsp;

DEA’s seizure of millions of deadly doses of fentanyl this year

In a statement, on Tuesday (December 20) the US drug enforcement agency said that it had seized more than 379 million potentially deadly doses of fentanyl which included more than 50.6 million fentanyl-laced, fake prescription pills and more than 10,000 pounds of fentanyl powder in 2022.&nbsp;

“Fentanyl is the deadliest drug threat facing this country,” said the DEA, giving the example of just two milligrams of fentanyl being considered as a potentially deadly dose. “In the past year, the men and women of the DEA have relentlessly worked to seize over 379 million deadly doses of fentanyl from communities across the country,” said the US Administrator Anne Milgram.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-drug-overdose-deaths-surged-to-record-93000-in-2020-398098">US drug overdose deaths surged to record 93,000 in 2020</a>

The illicit drug is primarily manufactured in secret factories in Mexico, and trafficked by the Sinaloa and CJNG cartels to the US made from chemicals sourced from China, said the DEA.&nbsp;The US federal agency’s “top operational priority is to defeat the two Mexican drug cartels…that are primarily responsible for the fentanyl that is killing Americans today.”&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
In 2022, the DEA also seized more than double the number of fake prescription pills which were laced with fentanyl when compared to last year. This was in addition to the nearly 131,000 pounds of methamphetamine, more than 4,300 pounds of heroin, and over 444,000 pounds of cocaine, said the statement.&nbsp;

Last year, the agency also issued a Public Safety Alert after fentanyl-laced, fake prescription pills were “readily found on social media”. These pills are made to look identical to real prescription medications like Xanax, Percocet and OxyContin.&nbsp;

Fentanyl and overdose

Earlier this month, a new study by the CDC said that drug overdoses among people aged 10 to 18 more than doubled in the US between 2019 and 2021. Additionally, the average monthly rate of overdose among adolescents also increased by 109 per cent. This health agency had largely attributed this to the illegally manufactured fentanyl which increased by 182 per cent in the same time duration.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/fentanyl-overdose-major-concern-in-the-us-easy-availability-causes-alarm-498249">Fentanyl overdose major concern in the US, easy availability causes alarm</a> 
 
Even small doses of fentanyl can be deadly and it is also “the most common drug involved in overdose deaths”, said the CDC. It added, over 150 people die every day from overdoses related to synthetic opioids like fentanyl. Furthermore, finding out if fentanyl is present in prescription drugs is “nearly impossible”, since it is not visible or has any distinct taste or smell.&nbsp;

However, there are test strips that one might use to check the presence of the illicit drug which typically show the result in five minutes but do not detect more potent fentanyl-like drugs, like carfentanil.&nbsp;

Echoing a similar warning as the DEA, the CDC in its report had said, “The proliferation of counterfeit pills is particularly concerning for adolescents given marketing aimed toward this population and the availability of such pills via social media.”&nbsp;

So far, many states have passed policies and Good Samaritan laws which protect those who overdose on opioids and the people who seek medical help for those individuals. While these laws differ from state to state, they also provide some protection against prosecution for possessing illegal drugs.&nbsp;

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/painkiller-epidemic-us-targets-chinese-firms-for-addiction-that-claimed-100000-lives-last-year-437262">'Painkiller epidemic': US targets Chinese firms for addiction that claimed 100,000 lives last year</a> 
 
Aside from the test strips, the CDC also recommends administering Narcan which consists of an active drug called naloxone, a life-saving medication which is a nasal spray used to treat an opioid overdose and is available in all 50 states and can be without a prescription in most states. However, it is not a substitute for medical treatment.&nbsp;

Potential “fentanyl vaccine” on the horizon?

Earlier this year, a research team led by the University of Houston, Texas, said that they have developed a vaccine which targets fentanyl and could block its ability to enter the brain and eliminate the “high” which is often achieved by using these drugs. The breakthrough could have major implications for the opioid epidemic in the country and also act as a “relapse prevention agent” for people who are trying to quit, said the researchers in a statement.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australian-police-seizes-countrys-largest-shipment-of-opioid-509199">Australian police seizes country's largest shipment of opioid</a>

The findings were first published in the journal Pharmaceuticals, in late October. Researchers also note that while Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) is treatable, at least 80 per cent of people once dependent on the drug, relapse. “We believe these findings could have a significant impact on a very serious problem plaguing society for years – opioid misuse,” said the study’s lead author Colin Haile and a founding member of the UH Drug Discovery Institute. &nbsp;

He added, “Our vaccine is able to generate anti-fentanyl antibodies that bind to the consumed fentanyl and prevent it from entering the brain, allowing it to be eliminated out of the body via the kidneys. Thus, the individual will not feel the euphoric effects and can ‘get back on the wagon’ to sobriety.”&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-overdose-deaths-among-10-18yr-olds-more-than-doubled-between-2019-and-2021-says-study-543695">US: Overdose deaths among 10-18yr olds more than doubled between 2019 and 2021, says study</a>

So far, the vaccine has been tested on immunized rats and did not have any adverse effects while the team reportedly plans to begin human trials in the upcoming months. Additionally, since the “anti-fentanyl antibodies” are specific to fentanyl and its derivatives the vaccine does not react with other opioids like morphine, which means that a vaccinated person can still use opioids for pain relief, said the researchers.&nbsp;

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As the United States continues to struggle with an epidemic of drug overdose deaths, it might not be close to over. The country’s Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), on Tuesday, said that this year they seized enough fentanyl in 2022 to kill every American.

As the United States continues to struggle with an epidemic of drug overdose deaths, it might not be close to over. The country’s Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), on Tuesday, said that this year they seized enough fentanyl in 2022 to kill every American. This comes after a study found drug overdoses among people aged 10 to 18 more than doubled between 2019 and 2021, earlier this year. Reports suggest that recently the American markets have been flooded with fentanyl. What is fentanyl? According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), fentanyl is a synthetic opioid which is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. It is also highly possible to get addicted to fentanyl. There are two types of fentanyl: Pharmaceutical fentanyl While both are considered synthetic opioids, this type of fentanyl was developed for pain management in patients with advanced-stage cancer and is typically administered by a patch or injection at hospitals. These are also prescribed by doctors to mitigate severe pain usually after surgery. ALSO WATCH | United States: Drug overdose deaths crosses 100,000-mark, 12,000 pounds of Fentanyl seized in 2021 Illicitly manufactured fentanyl On the other hand, illicitly manufactured fentanyl (IMF) is found in the drug market in different forms including powder and liquid. As mentioned earlier, fentanyl is also diverted for abuse because of its powerful opioid properties and heroin-like effect. Furthermore, it is also usually mixed or added with other drugs, “because of its extreme potency, which makes drugs cheaper, more powerful, more addictive, and more dangerous,” said the CDC. It is mixed with other illicit drugs like heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine, and sold as other prescription opioids which is extremely dangerous since many people are unaware that their drugs are laced with fentanyl, which can also be disguised as highly potent heroin which often results in overdose-related deaths. Fentanyl in its liquid form can be found in the form of nasal sprays, eye drops, and dropped onto paper or small candies, said the CDC. Why is it used and how does it affect the body? According to the DEA, fentanyl is used for, intense, short-term highs, temporary feelings of euphoria, slowed respiration and reduced blood pressure, nausea, fainting and seizures. It essentially affects the central nervous system and the brain to block pain signals to the rest of the body and also reduces anxiety and stress caused by the pain. ALSO READ | US: Walmart proposes to pay $3.1 billion legal settlement for opioid lawsuits Fentanyl also produces bodily responses like euphoria, relaxation, pain relief, sedation, confusion, drowsiness, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, urinary retention, pupillary constriction, and respiratory depression, said the DEA. DEA’s seizure of millions of deadly doses of fentanyl this year In a statement, on Tuesday (December 20) the US drug enforcement agency said that it had seized more than 379 million potentially deadly doses of fentanyl which included more than 50.6 million fentanyl-laced, fake prescription pills and more than 10,000 pounds of fentanyl powder in 2022. “Fentanyl is the deadliest drug threat facing this country,” said the DEA, giving the example of just two milligrams of fentanyl being considered as a potentially deadly dose. “In the past year, the men and women of the DEA have relentlessly worked to seize over 379 million deadly doses of fentanyl from communities across the country,” said the US Administrator Anne Milgram. ALSO READ | US drug overdose deaths surged to record 93,000 in 2020 The illicit drug is primarily manufactured in secret factories in Mexico, and trafficked by the Sinaloa and CJNG cartels to the US made from chemicals sourced from China, said the DEA. The US federal agency’s “top operational priority is to defeat the two Mexican drug cartels…that are primarily responsible for the fentanyl that is killing Americans today.” In 2022, the DEA also seized more than double the number of fake prescription pills which were laced with fentanyl when compared to last year. This was in addition to the nearly 131,000 pounds of methamphetamine, more than 4,300 pounds of heroin, and over 444,000 pounds of cocaine, said the statement. Last year, the agency also issued a Public Safety Alert after fentanyl-laced, fake prescription pills were “readily found on social media”. These pills are made to look identical to real prescription medications like Xanax, Percocet and OxyContin. Fentanyl and overdose Earlier this month, a new study by the CDC said that drug overdoses among people aged 10 to 18 more than doubled in the US between 2019 and 2021. Additionally, the average monthly rate of overdose among adolescents also increased by 109 per cent. This health agency had largely attributed this to the illegally manufactured fentanyl which increased by 182 per cent in the same time duration. ALSO WATCH | Fentanyl overdose major concern in the US, easy availability causes alarm Even small doses of fentanyl can be deadly and it is also “the most common drug involved in overdose deaths”, said the CDC. It added, over 150 people die every day from overdoses related to synthetic opioids like fentanyl. Furthermore, finding out if fentanyl is present in prescription drugs is “nearly impossible”, since it is not visible or has any distinct taste or smell. However, there are test strips that one might use to check the presence of the illicit drug which typically show the result in five minutes but do not detect more potent fentanyl-like drugs, like carfentanil. Echoing a similar warning as the DEA, the CDC in its report had said, “The proliferation of counterfeit pills is particularly concerning for adolescents given marketing aimed toward this population and the availability of such pills via social media.” So far, many states have passed policies and Good Samaritan laws which protect those who overdose on opioids and the people who seek medical help for those individuals. While these laws differ from state to state, they also provide some protection against prosecution for possessing illegal drugs. ALSO READ | 'Painkiller epidemic': US targets Chinese firms for addiction that claimed 100,000 lives last year Aside from the test strips, the CDC also recommends administering Narcan which consists of an active drug called naloxone, a life-saving medication which is a nasal spray used to treat an opioid overdose and is available in all 50 states and can be without a prescription in most states. However, it is not a substitute for medical treatment. Potential “fentanyl vaccine” on the horizon? Earlier this year, a research team led by the University of Houston, Texas, said that they have developed a vaccine which targets fentanyl and could block its ability to enter the brain and eliminate the “high” which is often achieved by using these drugs. The breakthrough could have major implications for the opioid epidemic in the country and also act as a “relapse prevention agent” for people who are trying to quit, said the researchers in a statement. ALSO READ | Australian police seizes country's largest shipment of opioid The findings were first published in the journal Pharmaceuticals, in late October. Researchers also note that while Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) is treatable, at least 80 per cent of people once dependent on the drug, relapse. “We believe these findings could have a significant impact on a very serious problem plaguing society for years – opioid misuse,” said the study’s lead author Colin Haile and a founding member of the UH Drug Discovery Institute. He added, “Our vaccine is able to generate anti-fentanyl antibodies that bind to the consumed fentanyl and prevent it from entering the brain, allowing it to be eliminated out of the body via the kidneys. Thus, the individual will not feel the euphoric effects and can ‘get back on the wagon’ to sobriety.” ALSO READ | US: Overdose deaths among 10-18yr olds more than doubled between 2019 and 2021, says study So far, the vaccine has been tested on immunized rats and did not have any adverse effects while the team reportedly plans to begin human trials in the upcoming months. Additionally, since the “anti-fentanyl antibodies” are specific to fentanyl and its derivatives the vaccine does not react with other opioids like morphine, which means that a vaccinated person can still use opioids for pain relief, said the researchers. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Explained: Fentanyl seized in 2022 enough to kill every American, says US federal drug agency

CVS Health Corp, Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc and Walmart Inc have tentatively agreed to pay about $13.8 billion to resolve thousands of U.S. state and local government lawsuits accusing the chains of mishandling opioid painkillers, according to two people familiar with the negotiations.&nbsp;

The proposed settlement calls for CVS to pay $5 billion over 10 years, Walgreens to pay $5.7 billion over 15 years and Walmart to pay $3.1 billion, mostly up front, according to the people. The sources declined to be identified, saying they were not authorized to speak publicly about the matter.&nbsp;

CVS announced Wednesday morning its portion of the deal, which includes $4.9 billion for state, county and city governments and $130 million for Native American tribes.&nbsp;

&nbsp;"We are pleased to resolve these longstanding claims and putting them behind us is in the best interest of all parties, as well as our customers, colleagues and shareholders," CVS general counsel Thomas Moriarty said in a statement. The company did not admit wrongdoing.&nbsp;

Walmart and Walgreens declined to comment. A spokesperson for the plaintiffs' attorneys in the litigation did not immediately respond to a request for comment.&nbsp;

The proposed settlement, which would be the first nationwide deal with retail pharmacy companies, follows nationwide opioid settlements with drugmakers and distributors totaling more than $33 billion.

In more than 3,300 lawsuits, beginning in 2017, state and local governments accused drugmakers of downplaying the risks of their opioid pain medicines, and distributors and pharmacies of ignoring red flags that prescriptions were being diverted into illegal trafficking.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-russia-war-live-updates-kremlin-confirms-resumption-of-grain-deal-530532" hreflang="en">Ukraine-Russia war LIVE updates: Grain deal to resume, confirms Kremlin</a>

They said the resulting human toll, as well as strain on public health services and law enforcement, was a public nuisance that the companies must pay to fix.

CVS, Walgreens and Walmart are the three largest retail pharmacies in the country by market share. If their settlement becomes final, it will put much of the sprawling, years-long litigation over opioids to rest, though cases are still pending against smaller, more regionally focused pharmacy operators, including Rite Aid Corp&nbsp;and Kroger Co.&nbsp;

Plaintiffs had scored some significant trial victories against pharmacy chains, including a $650.6 million judgment in favour of two Ohio counties&nbsp;against CVS, Walgreens Boots Alliance and Walmart, and a ruling that Walgreens contributed to the opioid epidemic in San Francisco.

Previous settlements netted $21 billion from the three largest U.S. drug distributors, $5 billion from Johnson &amp; Johnson, $4.35 billion from Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd, $2.37 billion from AbbVie Inc and $450 million from Endo International Plc.&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;Russia-Ukraine conflict: Ships sail from Kyiv after Moscow exits grain deal

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Purdue Pharma LP, whose prescription pill OxyContin is widely blamed for sparking the addiction and overdose crisis, and its Sackler family owners are seeking to resolve opioid claims against them through a $6 billion settlement in bankruptcy court.&nbsp;

State and local authorities have said they will use the money from the settlements to combat the opioid crisis, which according to federal government data has caused nearly 650,000 overdose deaths since 1999 and is continuing to worsen.&nbsp;

Prescriptions for opioids rose sharply in the 1990s as companies aggressively promoted the drugs, long used primarily in cancer patients, as a safe way to treat all kinds of chronic pain.&nbsp;

Overdoses involving opioids, including prescription pills and heroin, surged further during the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing 38% in 2020 over the previous year and another 15% in 2021, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.&nbsp;

The agency has attributed much of the recent rise in overdose cases to illegally manufactured fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid.&nbsp;

A congressional report last month put the economic toll of the opioid crisis in 2020 alone at $1.5 trillion.&nbsp;

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CVS Health Corp, Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc and Walmart Inc have tentatively agreed to pay about $13.8 billion to resolve thousands of U.S. state and local government lawsuits accusing the chains of mishandling opioid painkillers, according to two people familiar with the negotiations.

CVS Health Corp, Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc and Walmart Inc have tentatively agreed to pay about $13.8 billion to resolve thousands of U.S. state and local government lawsuits accusing the chains of mishandling opioid painkillers, according to two people familiar with the negotiations. The proposed settlement calls for CVS to pay $5 billion over 10 years, Walgreens to pay $5.7 billion over 15 years and Walmart to pay $3.1 billion, mostly up front, according to the people. The sources declined to be identified, saying they were not authorized to speak publicly about the matter. CVS announced Wednesday morning its portion of the deal, which includes $4.9 billion for state, county and city governments and $130 million for Native American tribes. "We are pleased to resolve these longstanding claims and putting them behind us is in the best interest of all parties, as well as our customers, colleagues and shareholders," CVS general counsel Thomas Moriarty said in a statement. The company did not admit wrongdoing. Walmart and Walgreens declined to comment. A spokesperson for the plaintiffs' attorneys in the litigation did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The proposed settlement, which would be the first nationwide deal with retail pharmacy companies, follows nationwide opioid settlements with drugmakers and distributors totaling more than $33 billion. In more than 3,300 lawsuits, beginning in 2017, state and local governments accused drugmakers of downplaying the risks of their opioid pain medicines, and distributors and pharmacies of ignoring red flags that prescriptions were being diverted into illegal trafficking. Also read | Ukraine-Russia war LIVE updates: Grain deal to resume, confirms Kremlin They said the resulting human toll, as well as strain on public health services and law enforcement, was a public nuisance that the companies must pay to fix. CVS, Walgreens and Walmart are the three largest retail pharmacies in the country by market share. If their settlement becomes final, it will put much of the sprawling, years-long litigation over opioids to rest, though cases are still pending against smaller, more regionally focused pharmacy operators, including Rite Aid Corp and Kroger Co. Plaintiffs had scored some significant trial victories against pharmacy chains, including a $650.6 million judgment in favour of two Ohio counties against CVS, Walgreens Boots Alliance and Walmart, and a ruling that Walgreens contributed to the opioid epidemic in San Francisco. Previous settlements netted $21 billion from the three largest U.S. drug distributors, $5 billion from Johnson & Johnson, $4.35 billion from Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd, $2.37 billion from AbbVie Inc and $450 million from Endo International Plc. WATCH | Russia-Ukraine conflict: Ships sail from Kyiv after Moscow exits grain deal Purdue Pharma LP, whose prescription pill OxyContin is widely blamed for sparking the addiction and overdose crisis, and its Sackler family owners are seeking to resolve opioid claims against them through a $6 billion settlement in bankruptcy court. State and local authorities have said they will use the money from the settlements to combat the opioid crisis, which according to federal government data has caused nearly 650,000 overdose deaths since 1999 and is continuing to worsen. Prescriptions for opioids rose sharply in the 1990s as companies aggressively promoted the drugs, long used primarily in cancer patients, as a safe way to treat all kinds of chronic pain. Overdoses involving opioids, including prescription pills and heroin, surged further during the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing 38% in 2020 over the previous year and another 15% in 2021, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The agency has attributed much of the recent rise in overdose cases to illegally manufactured fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid. A congressional report last month put the economic toll of the opioid crisis in 2020 alone at $1.5 trillion.

CVS, Walmart, Walgreens agree to pay $13.8 billion to settle US opioid lawsuits: Reports

More than 5 million doses of fentanyl that were being circulated illegally on the streets of the country have been seized by the Australian Border Force (ABF).

Hidden inside an industrial wooden lathe, the opioids were found in a shipment arriving from Canada in Melbourne in December 2021.

Nearly 60 kilograms of illegal substances were discovered by Australian police officers during an examination of the shipping container two months later.

With an estimated street value of 27 million Australian dollars (roughly €18.5 million, or US$18.5 million), the substances were equivalent to about 5.5 million potential lethal doses of 30 milligrams.

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While as little as 28 milligrams of the drug can result in death, Australian police said they had only ever detected illegal fentanyl in amounts of less than 30 grams.

Fentanyl, which is a highly addictive painkiller, is almost 50 times more potent than morphine and is primarily used for medical purposes in Australia.&nbsp;

According to AFP acting Commander Anthony Hall, one of the main purposes to make the announcement so late was "to alert the community to the harms of what fentanyl poses."

Clarifying that no arrests have been made, Hall suggested the organised crime was to blame for the large shipment of the drug. 
&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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More than 5 million doses of fentanyl that were being circulated illegally on the streets of the country have been seized by the Australian Border Force (ABF). Hidden inside an industrial wooden lathe, the opioids were found in a shipment arriving from Canada in Melbourne in December 2021.

More than 5 million doses of fentanyl that were being circulated illegally on the streets of the country have been seized by the Australian Border Force (ABF). Hidden inside an industrial wooden lathe, the opioids were found in a shipment arriving from Canada in Melbourne in December 2021. Nearly 60 kilograms of illegal substances were discovered by Australian police officers during an examination of the shipping container two months later. With an estimated street value of 27 million Australian dollars (roughly €18.5 million, or US$18.5 million), the substances were equivalent to about 5.5 million potential lethal doses of 30 milligrams. × While as little as 28 milligrams of the drug can result in death, Australian police said they had only ever detected illegal fentanyl in amounts of less than 30 grams. Fentanyl, which is a highly addictive painkiller, is almost 50 times more potent than morphine and is primarily used for medical purposes in Australia. According to AFP acting Commander Anthony Hall, one of the main purposes to make the announcement so late was "to alert the community to the harms of what fentanyl poses." Clarifying that no arrests have been made, Hall suggested the organised crime was to blame for the large shipment of the drug. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION's live TV here: ×

Australian police seizes country's largest shipment of opioid

With easy availability, Fentanyl overdose is a major concern in the US. Social media is being used to crack drug deals as agencies try to control the menace.

Fentanyl overdose major concern in the US, easy availability causes alarm

Fentanyl overdose major concern in the US as its easy availability causes an alarm

US deaths from drug overdoses surged to a record 93,000 during 2020, driven largely by rising opioid use during the pandemic, official data showed Wednesday.

A provisional count from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Vital Statistics System showed 93,331 deaths for the 12 months ending December 2020, an all-time high, and up 29.4 percent on the year before.

Opioids, primarily illicitly manufactured fentanyl, were responsible for 69,710 deaths,&nbsp;a trend in keeping with the last several years.

Deaths involving psychostimulants with abuse potential, such as methamphetamine, were also&nbsp;up.

Deaths rose across nearly all states, with the biggest spikes seen in Vermont, Kentucky, South Carolina, West Virginia and California.

The Covid-19 pandemic led to many increased stressors including financial hardship, social isolation and the disruption of school and health care, according to a recent report by the Well Being Trust.&nbsp;

Former CDC director Robert Redfield said in December people with substance use disorders were hit particularly hard by disruptions to daily life, and the agency was working with states to direct prevention and treatment strategies.

More than 500,000 Americans have died of opioid overdoses -- both prescription and non-prescription -- since 1999.

Corporate drugmakers such as Purdue Pharma have been taken to court on criminal charges over their drives to push unnecessary sales of prescription opioids, which stoked a nationwide addiction crisis.

US deaths from drug overdoses surged to a record 93,000 during 2020, driven largely by rising opioid use during the pandemic, official data showed Wednesday. A provisional count from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Vital Statistics System showed 93,331 deaths for the 12 months ending December 2020, an all-time high, and up 29.

US deaths from drug overdoses surged to a record 93,000 during 2020, driven largely by rising opioid use during the pandemic, official data showed Wednesday. A provisional count from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Vital Statistics System showed 93,331 deaths for the 12 months ending December 2020, an all-time high, and up 29.4 percent on the year before. Opioids, primarily illicitly manufactured fentanyl, were responsible for 69,710 deaths, a trend in keeping with the last several years. Deaths involving psychostimulants with abuse potential, such as methamphetamine, were also up. Deaths rose across nearly all states, with the biggest spikes seen in Vermont, Kentucky, South Carolina, West Virginia and California. The Covid-19 pandemic led to many increased stressors including financial hardship, social isolation and the disruption of school and health care, according to a recent report by the Well Being Trust. Former CDC director Robert Redfield said in December people with substance use disorders were hit particularly hard by disruptions to daily life, and the agency was working with states to direct prevention and treatment strategies. More than 500,000 Americans have died of opioid overdoses -- both prescription and non-prescription -- since 1999. Corporate drugmakers such as Purdue Pharma have been taken to court on criminal charges over their drives to push unnecessary sales of prescription opioids, which stoked a nationwide addiction crisis.

US drug overdose deaths surged to record 93,000 in 2020

A senior White House official on Thursday said that he believed China was "absolutely committed" to cooperating with the United States to curb illicit fentanyl, a drug which has played a major role in the US opioid crisis.

The remarks by Jim Carroll, the Director of National Drug Control Policy, reflect a shift in tone after US President Donald Trump accused Chinese President Xi Jinping in August of not living up to his pledges to crack down on the drug.

At the time, China labelled it <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trumps-conclusion-on-fentanyl-deaths-in-us-is-groundless-china-247389">"blatant slander</a>", and it has argued that the United States needs to do more at home to fight fentanyl abuse and reduce demand for the highly addictive drug.

"I am absolutely convinced the Chinese, starting with President Xi down through the Minister of Public Security Zhao (Kezhi), are absolutely committed to doing this," Carroll, who oversees the US government's response to the opioid crisis, told reporters in Beijing after meeting his Chinese counterparts.

"I fully believe that what we learned on this trip is that the Chinese government, the Chinese people, are committed to this issue, both to save lives in the United States, but also to save lives in China," Carroll said.

Carroll, accompanied by Acting Commissioner for US Customs and Border Protection Mark Morgan and Chief Postal Inspector Gary Barksdale, called the visit "ground-breaking".

Going forward, US officials would have routine conversations and intelligence sharing at a higher level with Chinese authorities to ensure the two sides are "truly eradicating" traffickers, he said.

Morgan said that he was <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-lists-fentanyl-as-controlled-substance-in-us-gesture-207176">encouraged by Chinese plans</a> to build additional labs and that the United States would be sharing data from new pollen signature chemical tests that can help identify fentanyl origin countries.

US officials have said China is the main source of illicit fentanyl, a cheap, opioid painkiller 50 times more potent than heroin, and related substances trafficked into the United States, much of them through international mail.

Beijing, which in May expanded control to include the more than 1,400 known and future fentanyl analogues, has cited US statistics to deny that most of the fentanyl entering the United States originates in China.

Earlier this month, Liu Yuejin, Vice Commissioner of the China National Narcotics Control Commission, said that the two countries had only limited cooperation to stop fentanyl smuggling.

The row over fentanyl comes as the United States is in the middle of a bruising trade war with China, and some experts believe that may have been hampering meaningful cooperation on trafficking.

The US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on three Chinese men accused of illegally trafficking fentanyl in August, but US officials have been frustrated that China has not arrested the suspects.

The National Institute of Drug Abuse reported earlier this year that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/johnson-johnson-ordered-to-pay-572-million-for-opioid-addiction-crisis-245872">130 people die every day in the United States</a> after overdosing on opioids, which include prescription pain relievers, heroin and synthetic drugs like fentanyl.

A senior White House official on Thursday said that he believed China was "absolutely committed" to cooperating with the United States to curb illicit fentanyl, a drug which has played a major role in the US opioid crisis.

A senior White House official on Thursday said that he believed China was "absolutely committed" to cooperating with the United States to curb illicit fentanyl, a drug which has played a major role in the US opioid crisis. The remarks by Jim Carroll, the Director of National Drug Control Policy, reflect a shift in tone after US President Donald Trump accused Chinese President Xi Jinping in August of not living up to his pledges to crack down on the drug. At the time, China labelled it "blatant slander", and it has argued that the United States needs to do more at home to fight fentanyl abuse and reduce demand for the highly addictive drug. "I am absolutely convinced the Chinese, starting with President Xi down through the Minister of Public Security Zhao (Kezhi), are absolutely committed to doing this," Carroll, who oversees the US government's response to the opioid crisis, told reporters in Beijing after meeting his Chinese counterparts. "I fully believe that what we learned on this trip is that the Chinese government, the Chinese people, are committed to this issue, both to save lives in the United States, but also to save lives in China," Carroll said. Carroll, accompanied by Acting Commissioner for US Customs and Border Protection Mark Morgan and Chief Postal Inspector Gary Barksdale, called the visit "ground-breaking". Going forward, US officials would have routine conversations and intelligence sharing at a higher level with Chinese authorities to ensure the two sides are "truly eradicating" traffickers, he said. Morgan said that he was encouraged by Chinese plans to build additional labs and that the United States would be sharing data from new pollen signature chemical tests that can help identify fentanyl origin countries. US officials have said China is the main source of illicit fentanyl, a cheap, opioid painkiller 50 times more potent than heroin, and related substances trafficked into the United States, much of them through international mail. Beijing, which in May expanded control to include the more than 1,400 known and future fentanyl analogues, has cited US statistics to deny that most of the fentanyl entering the United States originates in China. Earlier this month, Liu Yuejin, Vice Commissioner of the China National Narcotics Control Commission, said that the two countries had only limited cooperation to stop fentanyl smuggling. The row over fentanyl comes as the United States is in the middle of a bruising trade war with China, and some experts believe that may have been hampering meaningful cooperation on trafficking. The US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on three Chinese men accused of illegally trafficking fentanyl in August, but US officials have been frustrated that China has not arrested the suspects. The National Institute of Drug Abuse reported earlier this year that 130 people die every day in the United States after overdosing on opioids, which include prescription pain relievers, heroin and synthetic drugs like fentanyl.

China committed to curbing fentanyl circulation: US official Jim Carroll

China on Tuesday denied it was to blame for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/fentanyl-surpasses-heroin-as-deadliest-drug-in-us-183739">fentanyl deaths in the United States</a> after President Donald Trump accused Beijing of reneging on its promise to crack down on the opioid.

US authorities have long accused China of being the main source of the potent drug, which caused 32,000 overdose deaths in the United States last year alone.

In an apparent gesture to Washington amid the US-China trade war, Beijing announced a crackdown on fentanyl earlier this year, designating all analogues of the drug as controlled substances from May 1.

The move aimed to prevent smugglers from skirting the law by changing formulas to make drugs similar to the painkiller.

Fentanyl sellers have used parcel services to send the drug to the United States, and China had also vowed to step up customs checks.

But Trump wrote on Twitter last month that while Xi had pledged to stop exports of fentanyl, "this never happened, and many Americans continue to die!"

Liu Yuejin, vice-commissioner of China's National Narcotics Control Commission, countered on Tuesday that no case of fentanyl smuggling has been reported since the May 1 ban.

"What President Trump concluded on Twitter is groundless," Liu said.

"China has strengthened its control of fentanyl but the number of deaths linked to this substance continues to rise in the United States," Liu said, suggesting that the drug came from elsewhere. 
&nbsp;

China on Tuesday denied it was to blame for fentanyl deaths in the United States after President Donald Trump accused Beijing of reneging on its promise to crack down on the opioid.

China on Tuesday denied it was to blame for fentanyl deaths in the United States after President Donald Trump accused Beijing of reneging on its promise to crack down on the opioid. US authorities have long accused China of being the main source of the potent drug, which caused 32,000 overdose deaths in the United States last year alone. In an apparent gesture to Washington amid the US-China trade war, Beijing announced a crackdown on fentanyl earlier this year, designating all analogues of the drug as controlled substances from May 1. The move aimed to prevent smugglers from skirting the law by changing formulas to make drugs similar to the painkiller. Fentanyl sellers have used parcel services to send the drug to the United States, and China had also vowed to step up customs checks. But Trump wrote on Twitter last month that while Xi had pledged to stop exports of fentanyl, "this never happened, and many Americans continue to die!" Liu Yuejin, vice-commissioner of China's National Narcotics Control Commission, countered on Tuesday that no case of fentanyl smuggling has been reported since the May 1 ban. "What President Trump concluded on Twitter is groundless," Liu said. "China has strengthened its control of fentanyl but the number of deaths linked to this substance continues to rise in the United States," Liu said, suggesting that the drug came from elsewhere.

Trump's conclusion on fentanyl deaths in US is groundless: China

China announced Monday it will launch a crackdown on all fentanyl-like substances from May 1 following US pleas for Beijing to control a drug fuelling a deadly opioid crisis.

China is suspected of being the main source of a powerful painkiller 50 times stronger than heroin that has caused record overdose deaths in the United States.

The issue has figured in trade talks between the United States and China, with Beijing promising to list any type of fentanyl when presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping agreed to a tariff truce in December.

"The US is concerned about all variants (of fentanyl), and it has all been resolved," Liu Yuejin, deputy director of the National Narcotics Control Commission, said at a press conference.

Designating all fentanyl analogues as controlled substances from May 1 aims to prevent smugglers from skirting the law by changing formulas to make drugs similar to the painkiller.

Liu outlined further work China would undertake, including inspections of key bio-medical and chemical industrial parks, cleaning up drug-related information online and cutting off criminals' online communication channels.

Chinese authorities will also urge courier companies to implement real-name registration for parcels, stepping up customs checks for high-risk international packages and enhancing enforcement co-operation. Sellers often ship fentanyl via express package services.

These are big steps which would have a significant impact, said Mike Vigil, former head of international operations for the US Drug Enforcement Administration.

China produces 85 per cent of the world's synthetic opioids, he said.

"Without China's co-operation the United States would not be able to put a dent in the current opioid epidemic that has taken so many lives," Vigil told AFP.&nbsp;

American officials attending the press conference declined to comment.

Wang Hesheng, deputy director of China's National Health Commission, indicated some analogues of fentanyl with legitimate medicinal, industrial and scientific purposes would not be included in the listing.

'Horror drug'

In December, Trump said the move against the "horror drug" could be a "game changer" because China has the death penalty for major narcotics offences.

The action comes as China's top trade negotiator, Vice Premier Liu He, prepares to return to Washington this week for more talks following discussions in Beijing last week.

"The Chinese government will step up co-operation with other countries including the US to join hands to tackle the global challenge fentanyl presents," Liu Yuejin said.

Still Liu repeated China's denial of responsibility for the US's deadly opioid crisis, saying US allegations of large scale trafficking from China "lack evidence and are contrary to the facts".

Admitting the existence of some cases of Chinese and American criminals working together, Liu said the "amount was extremely limited," and China "cannot possibly be the major source to the US".

Instead, Liu blamed American's abuse of prescription opioids, pharmaceutical industry influence, US pharmacies and doctors "excessive prescription", lax enforcement and American culture conflating drugs with "freedom, individuality and liberation".

"If the US really wants to resolve the fentanyl substance problem, they have more work to do domestically," he said.

'Extremely important' step

Vigil agreed that "corporate greed in the pharmaceutical industry" and overprescription of opioids had driven a lot of the epidemic in the US. &nbsp;

"If China stems the movement of fentanyl and other synthetic opioids to the United States it would have a huge impact, but it would not stop the epidemic," he said, adding American politicians need to take action.

The US Justice Department has indicted several Chinese individuals on allegations of manufacturing and distributing illegal drugs.&nbsp;

Asked about the cases, Liu said China was working with US law enforcement but had not found evidence that the individuals had broken Chinese law.

Diplomats invited to attend the briefing said Beijing's action marked an important step for combatting the drug trade.

"What China did today was extremely important," said Stefan Thorsell, a police and customs liaison officer for the Swedish embassy in Beijing.

"Even though Sweden is a small country we have problems, not as big as the United States, but we have problems with fentanyl as well," he said.

China announced Monday it will launch a crackdown on all fentanyl-like substances from May 1 following US pleas for Beijing to control a drug fuelling a deadly opioid crisis.

China announced Monday it will launch a crackdown on all fentanyl-like substances from May 1 following US pleas for Beijing to control a drug fuelling a deadly opioid crisis. China is suspected of being the main source of a powerful painkiller 50 times stronger than heroin that has caused record overdose deaths in the United States. The issue has figured in trade talks between the United States and China, with Beijing promising to list any type of fentanyl when presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping agreed to a tariff truce in December. "The US is concerned about all variants (of fentanyl), and it has all been resolved," Liu Yuejin, deputy director of the National Narcotics Control Commission, said at a press conference. Designating all fentanyl analogues as controlled substances from May 1 aims to prevent smugglers from skirting the law by changing formulas to make drugs similar to the painkiller. Liu outlined further work China would undertake, including inspections of key bio-medical and chemical industrial parks, cleaning up drug-related information online and cutting off criminals' online communication channels. Chinese authorities will also urge courier companies to implement real-name registration for parcels, stepping up customs checks for high-risk international packages and enhancing enforcement co-operation. Sellers often ship fentanyl via express package services. These are big steps which would have a significant impact, said Mike Vigil, former head of international operations for the US Drug Enforcement Administration. China produces 85 per cent of the world's synthetic opioids, he said. "Without China's co-operation the United States would not be able to put a dent in the current opioid epidemic that has taken so many lives," Vigil told AFP. American officials attending the press conference declined to comment. Wang Hesheng, deputy director of China's National Health Commission, indicated some analogues of fentanyl with legitimate medicinal, industrial and scientific purposes would not be included in the listing. 'Horror drug' In December, Trump said the move against the "horror drug" could be a "game changer" because China has the death penalty for major narcotics offences. The action comes as China's top trade negotiator, Vice Premier Liu He, prepares to return to Washington this week for more talks following discussions in Beijing last week. "The Chinese government will step up co-operation with other countries including the US to join hands to tackle the global challenge fentanyl presents," Liu Yuejin said. Still Liu repeated China's denial of responsibility for the US's deadly opioid crisis, saying US allegations of large scale trafficking from China "lack evidence and are contrary to the facts". Admitting the existence of some cases of Chinese and American criminals working together, Liu said the "amount was extremely limited," and China "cannot possibly be the major source to the US". Instead, Liu blamed American's abuse of prescription opioids, pharmaceutical industry influence, US pharmacies and doctors "excessive prescription", lax enforcement and American culture conflating drugs with "freedom, individuality and liberation". "If the US really wants to resolve the fentanyl substance problem, they have more work to do domestically," he said. 'Extremely important' step Vigil agreed that "corporate greed in the pharmaceutical industry" and overprescription of opioids had driven a lot of the epidemic in the US. "If China stems the movement of fentanyl and other synthetic opioids to the United States it would have a huge impact, but it would not stop the epidemic," he said, adding American politicians need to take action. The US Justice Department has indicted several Chinese individuals on allegations of manufacturing and distributing illegal drugs. Asked about the cases, Liu said China was working with US law enforcement but had not found evidence that the individuals had broken Chinese law. Diplomats invited to attend the briefing said Beijing's action marked an important step for combatting the drug trade. "What China did today was extremely important," said Stefan Thorsell, a police and customs liaison officer for the Swedish embassy in Beijing. "Even though Sweden is a small country we have problems, not as big as the United States, but we have problems with fentanyl as well," he said.

China lists fentanyl as controlled substance in US gesture

Heirs of Prince have sued an Illinois hospital and pharmacy chain Walgreens claiming they could have prevented the singer's 2016 death if they had properly diagnosed and properly treated his overdose days earlier, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reported on Monday.

The wrongful-death lawsuit, which was filed in Cook County Circuit Court in Chicago on Friday, accuses a doctor and pharmacist at Trinity Medical Center in Rock Island, Illinois of failing to properly investigate the overdose or see that the pop star was given appropriate counselling, the paper reported.

The six heirs accuse two Walgreens pharmacists of improperly dispensing prescription medication to Prince under the name of his bodyguard, according to the Star-Tribune.

Representatives for the hospital could not be reached by Reuters for comment on Monday evening. A spokesman for the hospital's parent company, UnityPoint Health, told the newspaper that the company did not comment on pending litigation.

A spokesman for Walgreens declined to comment to Reuters. Walgreens parent company as Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc's

Prince, 57, was found dead at his Paisley Park home and recording studio complex near Minneapolis on April 21, 2016. The official cause of death was a self-administered overdose of the painkiller fentanyl, which is 50 times stronger than heroin.

A Minnesota prosecutor said last week he could not bring any criminal charges in connection with the "Purple Rain" singer's death after a two-year investigation failed to determine where he obtained a counterfeit painkiller laced with fentanyl.

Police investigating Prince’s death found numerous opioids in the singer’s home, according to court documents released in April 2017.

The death of the music superstar, who crafted a public image of living a clean and healthy vegan lifestyle, shocked the world and led to a protracted battle among his siblings and half-siblings over who would inherit his estate, estimated to be worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

Prince, known for his androgynous style and sexually charged songs, died a day before he was set to meet a California-based doctor who specializes in addiction treatment.

After his death, his longtime collaborator and protege Sheila E. told “Entertainment Tonight” that Prince had been suffering from hip and knee pain from decades of intense performing, much of it in heels.

Prince's heirs said the Illinois hospital, and the pharmacy chain Walgreens could have prevented the singer's 2016 death if they had properly diagnosed and treated his overdose days earlier, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reported on Monday

Heirs of Prince have sued an Illinois hospital and pharmacy chain Walgreens claiming they could have prevented the singer's 2016 death if they had properly diagnosed and properly treated his overdose days earlier, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reported on Monday. The wrongful-death lawsuit, which was filed in Cook County Circuit Court in Chicago on Friday, accuses a doctor and pharmacist at Trinity Medical Center in Rock Island, Illinois of failing to properly investigate the overdose or see that the pop star was given appropriate counselling, the paper reported. The six heirs accuse two Walgreens pharmacists of improperly dispensing prescription medication to Prince under the name of his bodyguard, according to the Star-Tribune. Representatives for the hospital could not be reached by Reuters for comment on Monday evening. A spokesman for the hospital's parent company, UnityPoint Health, told the newspaper that the company did not comment on pending litigation. A spokesman for Walgreens declined to comment to Reuters. Walgreens parent company as Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc's Prince, 57, was found dead at his Paisley Park home and recording studio complex near Minneapolis on April 21, 2016. The official cause of death was a self-administered overdose of the painkiller fentanyl, which is 50 times stronger than heroin. A Minnesota prosecutor said last week he could not bring any criminal charges in connection with the "Purple Rain" singer's death after a two-year investigation failed to determine where he obtained a counterfeit painkiller laced with fentanyl. Police investigating Prince’s death found numerous opioids in the singer’s home, according to court documents released in April 2017. The death of the music superstar, who crafted a public image of living a clean and healthy vegan lifestyle, shocked the world and led to a protracted battle among his siblings and half-siblings over who would inherit his estate, estimated to be worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Prince, known for his androgynous style and sexually charged songs, died a day before he was set to meet a California-based doctor who specializes in addiction treatment. After his death, his longtime collaborator and protege Sheila E. told “Entertainment Tonight” that Prince had been suffering from hip and knee pain from decades of intense performing, much of it in heels.

Prince heirs sue hospital, pharmacy chain over singer's death: Report

Several pills taken from Prince&#39;s estate in Paisley Park after his death were counterfeit drugs that actually contained fentanyl a synthetic opioid 50 times more powerful than heroin, an official close to the investigation said today. 
 
The official, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because of the ongoing investigation, said many pills were falsely labeled as &quot;Watson 385.&quot; 
 
According to Drugs.com, that stamp is used to identify pills containing a mix of acetaminophen and hydrocodone. 
 
About a dozen tablets were found in a dressing room at Paisley Park, but the vast majority was in bottles of Vitamin C and aspirin that had been tucked inside a suitcase and bags including one Prince often carried with him. 
 
Autopsy results released in June show Prince died April 21 of an accidental fentanyl overdose. The official who spoke to the AP said records show the 57-year-old Prince had no prescription for any controlled substances in the state of Minnesota in the 12 months before he died. 
 
Authorities are still investigating how Prince obtained the drugs. 
 
Fentanyl has been responsible for a surge in overdose deaths in some parts of the country. When made into counterfeit pills, users don&#39;t always know they&#39;re taking fentanyl, increasing the risk of fatal overdose. 
 
The Star Tribune first reported about the mislabeled pills in a story published on its website late yesterday. One pill with the &quot;Watson 385&quot; stamp that was analysed by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension tested positive for fentanyl, lidocaine and another drug. Officials found nearly two dozen pills similar to the one that was tested, the official said. 
 
Another aspirin bottle had 64 counterfeit tablets in it. Some pills that were analysed contained fentanyl, lidocaine and U-4770 a synthetic drug that is eight times more powerful than morphine. 
 
Authorities also found a prescription bottle in someone else&#39;s name that contained ten oxycodone pills, the official said, without revealing who was listed on the prescription. 
 
The official said Prince had many of these pills with him on April 15 when the airplane he was on made an emergency stop in Moline, Illinois, after he fell ill from a suspected drug overdose as he was heading home from a performance in Atlanta. 
 
Prince was given two doses of Narcan, an antidote used to reverse suspected opioid overdoses, the official said. 
 
The official said roughly 20 different bottles or pill containers have been analysed. 
 
U-4770 can be tested for in toxicology screens, but is not done routinely because it is a relatively new chemical. Presence of the drug was not tested in Prince&#39;s case, but the levels of fentanyl in his system were more than enough to be toxic, the official said. 
 
Tests on Prince prior to his death did not show fentanyl in his system, which means he wasn&#39;t a long-time abuser of that drug, but likely took the fatal dose sometime in the 24 hours before he died, the official said. 
 
(PTI)

When made into counterfeit pills, users don't always know they're taking fentanyl, increasing the risk of fatal overdose

Several pills taken from Prince's estate in Paisley Park after his death were counterfeit drugs that actually contained fentanyl a synthetic opioid 50 times more powerful than heroin, an official close to the investigation said today. The official, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because of the ongoing investigation, said many pills were falsely labeled as "Watson 385." According to Drugs.com, that stamp is used to identify pills containing a mix of acetaminophen and hydrocodone. About a dozen tablets were found in a dressing room at Paisley Park, but the vast majority was in bottles of Vitamin C and aspirin that had been tucked inside a suitcase and bags including one Prince often carried with him. Autopsy results released in June show Prince died April 21 of an accidental fentanyl overdose. The official who spoke to the AP said records show the 57-year-old Prince had no prescription for any controlled substances in the state of Minnesota in the 12 months before he died. Authorities are still investigating how Prince obtained the drugs. Fentanyl has been responsible for a surge in overdose deaths in some parts of the country. When made into counterfeit pills, users don't always know they're taking fentanyl, increasing the risk of fatal overdose. The Star Tribune first reported about the mislabeled pills in a story published on its website late yesterday. One pill with the "Watson 385" stamp that was analysed by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension tested positive for fentanyl, lidocaine and another drug. Officials found nearly two dozen pills similar to the one that was tested, the official said. Another aspirin bottle had 64 counterfeit tablets in it. Some pills that were analysed contained fentanyl, lidocaine and U-4770 a synthetic drug that is eight times more powerful than morphine. Authorities also found a prescription bottle in someone else's name that contained ten oxycodone pills, the official said, without revealing who was listed on the prescription. The official said Prince had many of these pills with him on April 15 when the airplane he was on made an emergency stop in Moline, Illinois, after he fell ill from a suspected drug overdose as he was heading home from a performance in Atlanta. Prince was given two doses of Narcan, an antidote used to reverse suspected opioid overdoses, the official said. The official said roughly 20 different bottles or pill containers have been analysed. U-4770 can be tested for in toxicology screens, but is not done routinely because it is a relatively new chemical. Presence of the drug was not tested in Prince's case, but the levels of fentanyl in his system were more than enough to be toxic, the official said. Tests on Prince prior to his death did not show fentanyl in his system, which means he wasn't a long-time abuser of that drug, but likely took the fatal dose sometime in the 24 hours before he died, the official said. (PTI)

Pills found at Prince's estate contained fentanyl: Investigator

A heroin &quot;epidemic&quot; is gripping the United States, where cheap supply has helped push the number of users to a 20-year high, increasing drug-related deaths, the United Nations said today. 
 
According to the U.N.&#39;s World Drug Report 2016, the number of heroin users in the United States reached around one million in 2014, almost three times as many as in 2003. Heroin-related deaths there have increased five-fold since 2000. 
 
&quot;There is really a huge epidemic (of) heroin in the U.S.,&quot; said Angela Me, the chief researcher for the report which released today. 
 
&quot;It is the highest definitely in the last 20 years,&quot; Me said, adding that the trend was continuing. 
 
The rise could be linked to U.S. legislation introduced in recent years which makes it harder to abuse prescription opioids such as oxicodone, a powerful painkiller that can have similar effects to heroin, Me said. 
 
The law meant the texture of the pills was changed to make it more difficult to crush them and inject them into the blood stream, Me said. 
 
&quot;This has caused a partial shift from the misuse of these prescription opioids to heroin.&quot; 
 
Another reason for the increase in the use of heroin, which in the United States mainly comes from Mexico and Colombia, is greater supply that has depressed prices in recent years, Me said. 
 
The United States has also seen a spike in deaths related to fentanyl, a synthetic opioid 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times more so than morphine, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 
 
Fentanyl has been named as the drug that killed pop singer Prince this year. 
 
At least 207,000 deaths globally were drug-related in 2014, with heroin use and overdose-related deaths increasing sharply also over the last two years, according to the Vienna-based U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). 
 
&quot;Heroin continues to be the drug that kills the most people and this resurgence must be addressed urgently,&quot; Yury Fedotov, the executive director of the UNODC, said. 
 
U.S. President Barack Obama earlier this year asked Congress for $1.1 billion in new funding over two years to expand treatment for users of heroin and prescription painkillers. 
 
(Reuters)

At least 207,000 deaths globally were drug-related in 2014, with heroin use and overdose-related deaths increased in last two years

A heroin "epidemic" is gripping the United States, where cheap supply has helped push the number of users to a 20-year high, increasing drug-related deaths, the United Nations said today. According to the U.N.'s World Drug Report 2016, the number of heroin users in the United States reached around one million in 2014, almost three times as many as in 2003. Heroin-related deaths there have increased five-fold since 2000. "There is really a huge epidemic (of) heroin in the U.S.," said Angela Me, the chief researcher for the report which released today. "It is the highest definitely in the last 20 years," Me said, adding that the trend was continuing. The rise could be linked to U.S. legislation introduced in recent years which makes it harder to abuse prescription opioids such as oxicodone, a powerful painkiller that can have similar effects to heroin, Me said. The law meant the texture of the pills was changed to make it more difficult to crush them and inject them into the blood stream, Me said. "This has caused a partial shift from the misuse of these prescription opioids to heroin." Another reason for the increase in the use of heroin, which in the United States mainly comes from Mexico and Colombia, is greater supply that has depressed prices in recent years, Me said. The United States has also seen a spike in deaths related to fentanyl, a synthetic opioid 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times more so than morphine, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Fentanyl has been named as the drug that killed pop singer Prince this year. At least 207,000 deaths globally were drug-related in 2014, with heroin use and overdose-related deaths increasing sharply also over the last two years, according to the Vienna-based U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). "Heroin continues to be the drug that kills the most people and this resurgence must be addressed urgently," Yury Fedotov, the executive director of the UNODC, said. U.S. President Barack Obama earlier this year asked Congress for $1.1 billion in new funding over two years to expand treatment for users of heroin and prescription painkillers. (Reuters)

Heroin use at 20-year high in U.S. drug "epidemic", U.N. says

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