Law enforcement officials in Alabama have issued a warning about a new and exceptionally lethal strain of fentanyl that has entered the state, amid the ongoing fentanyl epidemic. According to reports, this new strain could be even more dangerous than previous ones.
The Drug Task Force Investigators discovered para-fluorofentanyl, a substance considered to be more hazardous than pure fentanyl, during a drug bust in Shelby County.
According to Virginia Guy, the executive director of the Drug Education Council, the opioid epidemic affects everyone.
According to Guy, fentanyl is an incredibly potent drug, being up to 100 times stronger than morphine. However, this new strain of fentanyl surpasses even the potency of standard fentanyl, making it an incredibly lethal substance that poses a significant threat to everyone.
According to a recent fiscal year report from the Baldwin County Coroner’s Office, fentanyl overdoses have emerged as the primary cause of death for the 2022-2023 period.
Guy emphasizes that fentanyl doesn’t merely end lives, but it also claims the lives of mothers, husbands, sons, daughters, and beloved friends.
According to the CDC, a mere two milligrams of fentanyl can be fatal. To put it into perspective, that’s smaller than the likeness of Abraham Lincoln on a penny. However, with this particular strain, an even smaller amount could have deadly consequences.
Guy expressed his concern about the ease of exposure to fentanyl. He emphasized that accidental inhalation or mere physical contact with the substance can put individuals, families, and even health care professionals at risk. He also pointed out that having a family member who uses fentanyl can endanger the whole family. In addition, Guy stressed that the service industry is not exempted from the risks posed by this dangerous drug.
According to Guy, it’s important to exercise caution when buying anything that isn’t purchased directly from a pharmacy.
According to Chief John Barber of the Spanish Fort Police Department, the individuals who are overdosing on drugs are not just those who are intentionally taking them.
Barber explained that fentanyl is not only intentionally taken, but it is also unknowingly laced into other drugs such as heroin, THC, vapes, and even marijuana to make it more potent. He emphasized that some people take it intentionally, while others are given it without their knowledge, thinking that they were consuming a different substance.
During an interview with FOX10, Barber shared his experience working on fentanyl overdose cases and emphasized that this potent drug can impact anyone, regardless of their appearance or social status.
According to Guy, the Gulf Coast area poses a significant risk for the trafficking of this lethal drug.
According to a local resident, Mobile is situated at the crossing of I-10 and I-65, which are acknowledged as drug corridors. She emphasized that utmost caution is required, especially for law enforcement, as they may encounter this lethal substance during a routine traffic stop. The resident further added that the potency of the drug makes it particularly dangerous.
