Fentanyl most lethal drug in Florida, law enforcement says

PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. — Fentanyl is now probably the most deadly drug in Florida, killing hundreds between the ages of 35 and 50 years outdated, in keeping with the Florida Division of Regulation Enforcement.

Seven years since I misplaced Rory,” mentioned Cindy Singer. “His birthday is on Monday.”

Singer mentioned her son Rory didn’t stand an opportunity towards fentanyl.

“He handed from an overdose, an unintended overdose,” she mentioned.

An artificial opioid developed to handle ache for most cancers sufferers, 50 to 100 occasions stronger than morphine, is killing hundreds.

“The numbers aren’t taking place, they’re getting worse,” Singer mentioned.

Bearing the ache no mom ought to ever need to, Singer discovered Staci Katz, one other mother serving to her son with substance use.

Collectively they fashioned the nonprofit Our 2 Sons to assist educate households and assist folks into restoration.

“Lsten to the warnings, as a result of every thing is laced,” Katz mentioned.

The Florida Division of Regulation enforcement mentioned unlawful fentanyl is being manufactured in Mexico and combined with counterfeit prescription drugs like Xanax and Adderall. Customers are unknowingly taking fentanyl. DEA lab testing exhibits that six out of 10 fentanyl-laced faux prescription drugs include a probably deadly dose of fentanyl. FDLE mentioned final 12 months 6,000 folks died due to the drug.

“Sadly, experimentation or if a prescribed remedy just isn’t out there, folks really feel the necessity they need to go to the road or the black market,” Micah Robbins mentioned. “It’s the wild west.”

Robbins, with the Palm Seaside County Behavioral Well being Coalition, mentioned it’s essential for folks to heed the warnings.

“Particularly proper now throughout the holidays,” Robbins mentioned. “In our world, the prevention world, we all know this is without doubt one of the most crucial occasions of 12 months.”

There’s hope on the horizon. The College of Houston Analysis Workforce has developed a vaccine to dam fentanyl’s capability to enter the mind. Scientific trials are coming quickly. Narcan does the identical factor if administered moments after an overdose.

“It does, it saves lives,” Singer mentioned.

Collectively these mothers and native organizations are doing what they will to supply assist and hope.

“I need to proceed to be my son’s voice,” Singer mentioned.