Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid pain reliever. It is many times more powerful than other opioids and is approved for treating severe pain, typically advanced cancer pain. Most recent cases of fentanyl-related harm, overdose, and death in the U.S. are linked to illegally made fentanyl. Illegally made and distributed fentanyl has been on the rise in several states (CDC, 2017). It is often mixed with heroin and/or cocaine as a combination product—with or without the user’s knowledge—to increase its euphoric effects (CDC, 2017).

Synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl, are chemically manufactured drugs. These drugs are far more powerful and deadly than other opioids. Illegally made and distributed fentanyl has been on the rise in several states, including Michigan, where fentanyl and carfentanil are appearing across the state (CDC, 2017). Synthetic opioids are often mixed with heroin and are likely contributing to the increase in overdose deaths (MDHHS, 2018). Heroin users are often unaware that these powerful drugs are mixed into their heroin.