A surge in news stories about the drug fentanyl has led to increased efforts to educate students about the hazards of the drug when used recreationally.
READ FULL ARTICLE
From Medical Express
Recreational use of this fast-acting drug can be fatal
the Oncology Nurse Advisor take:
Fentanyl, a fast-acting painkiller and sedative, has been an increasingly common topic in the news, and efforts to educate people about the dangers of recreational use of the drug are being made.
Fentanyl is typically prescribed for chronic pain or as part of end-of-life care for patients with cancer.
The drug raises dopamine levels in the body to produce a high or state of euphoria. However, when mixed with other opioids or alcohol, the effects can be much stronger. In addition, the body’s tolerance increases with each time the drug is taken, so a higher dose is needed to get the same effect.
Street names include Apache, China girl, China white, dance fever, friend, goodfella, jackpot, murder 8, TNT, and Tango and Cash.
The drug is odorless and colorless, and nearly impossible to detect. People should be advised to be cautious about their drinks in social places and accepting drugs not prescribed specifically for them.
