THEfentanyl abuse it is a problem that is growing globally, and its presence is increasingly felt in different countries. This drug similar to morphine but up to 100 times more powerful is legally prescribed in many places, but its illegal sale is also becoming more widespread.
With the death rate reaching a tragic all-time high of around 70.600 in the United States in 2021 (and currently counting over 1500 deaths per week), the fentanyl issue can no longer be ignored. It is time to carefully examine this phenomenon, understand its implications and act in an informed and responsible manner.
Fentanyl: silent enemy
Il Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that has conquered the medical world for its potent analgesic properties. Used in the medical field to treat acute pain, it has unfortunately also found a dark path in the world of illegal drugs.
Especially in recent years, Fentanyl abuse has grown exponentially making a real massacre in the United States, where drug-related deaths are constantly and dangerously increasing. But it is not just an American problem: now the use of Fentanyl is becoming increasingly widespread in Europe too.
Laws and science cannot make peace
Existing regulations are trying to keep up with the rapid spread of Fentanyl, but it's a tall order. Science, on the other hand, is trying to better understand the properties of this substance, in order to be able to distribute it in a safer and more responsible way. But there is a balance to be found, and the road is still long. The path of medical countermeasures is also tortuous, but it has already started. Objective? A spray that stops overdoses.
Is there hope of stopping this avalanche before it overwhelms the USA and also overflows into the old continent? Not all is lost. Awareness is growing, and with it the search for solutions. Education and prevention can make a difference. We can look to the future with hope, but we must act now.
Fentanyl is here to stay: we must handle it with intelligence, courage and determination. And if necessary, fight it.
