Carfentanil, a potent synthetic drug used as an elephant anesthetic, caused a Riverside man's death, highlighting rising overdose incidents. This schedule II synthetic opioid is 100 times more potent than fentanyl and lethal in very small doses. Deaths from carfentanil increased significantly in 2023, raising concerns among public health officials as cases were rare but are on the rise. While overall opioid overdoses have decreased, the surge in carfentanil may hinder progress, and awareness of its risks is urgent.
Every life lost from opioids is one too many," Riverside County Public Health Officer Dr. Jennifer Chevinsky said in the release.
U.S. deaths involving carfentanil increased from 29 in the first half of 2023 to 238 during the same period last year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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