Fentanyl, a headlining drug in the U.S. opioid crisis is officially on the radar of police and investigative officials in the Lewis-Clark Valley. It is well known as the drug that led to the deaths of performers such as Prince, Mac Miller and Lil Peep.
 
 The opioid crisis in the states has been around for nearly two decades. According to the Center for Disease Control, “overdose deaths from opioids, including prescription opioids, heroin, and synthetic opioids (like fentanyl) have increased almost six times since 1999.” Over 70,000 people have died due to opioid overdoses in 2017 alone, which is a 47% increase from 2016.

  Recently, fentanyl-related deaths have been on the rise. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid pain reliever that is over 100 times more potent than morphine, and is often found in the form of an adhesive pain patch.

  However, most overdoses can be traced to illegally-manufactured fentanyl in solid form. The reason behind these skyrocketing deaths is the fact that in a solid form, Fentanyl is incredibly deadly.

  As little as two milligrams is fatal and it is practically untraceable when cut into other substances, such as cocaine or other street drugs. Fentanyl also absorbs into the skin, unlike cocaine or methamphetamine, so physical contact, as well as inhalation with the drug can also be lethal.

  While reports of fentanyl were mostly made on  east and west coasts, it has made its way to the L-C Valley. Rob Massey, school resource officer, advises caution when reaching into others’ backpacks, purses or pockets without using gloves.