The CDC has reported a sharp increase in overdose deaths linked to carfentanil, a synthetic opioid that is 100 times more potent than fentanyl. Cases have more than tripled across 37 states over the past year, with Illinois ranking among the states with the highest totals.
Carfentanil’s extreme potency poses unique challenges for overdose reversal, as it often requires significantly higher doses of naloxone, potentially delaying lifesaving treatment and increasing the risk of brain damage. While fentanyl test strips can detect carfentanil, they cannot measure its concentration, further complicating efforts to ensure safety.
The drug is increasingly found mixed with other narcotics, such as cocaine and methamphetamine, putting unsuspecting users at heightened risk. The DEA has issued warnings about the dangers posed by these potent opioids infiltrating the drug supply.
Although overall overdose deaths began to decline in 2023, the CDC’s latest report highlights a troubling rise in deaths involving carfentanil. The report shows the number of such fatalities more than tripled in 37 states last year.
Luis Agostini, Public Information Officer for the Chicago DEA Field Division, emphasized the danger: “It’s usually used as a tranquilizing agent for large mammals like elephants. So you can just imagine the impact it can have on the human body.”
The CDC cautions that overdose deaths could climb further if carfentanil continues to spread through the drug supply. The substance, which was previously linked to localized outbreaks in 2016-2017, has now been detected in numerous states nationwide, raising alarms about its expanding presence.
