What is fentanyl and why is it behind the deadly surge in US drug overdoses?

Kavita Babu, MD, professor of emergency medicine, writes for The Conversation about illicitly manufactured fentanyl that is driving the increasing number of opioid overdose deaths.

Drug Overdose Death Rates National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

During Pandemic, Fentanyl's Spread Made Illicit Drug Use Far More Treacherous : Shots - Health News : NPR

US drug overdose deaths hit record number amid Covid pandemic

Medical toxicologist explains the fentanyl overdose crisis, solutions

Explained America poisoned: How El Chapo's sons built a fentanyl empire triggering an opioid epidemic in US - World News

Drug-Overdose Deaths Reached a Record in 2021, Fueled by Fentanyl - WSJ

Increases in Drug and Opioid Overdose Deaths — United States, 2000–2014

Fentanyl: A Deadly Gamble Fueling the Overdose Crisis

Opioids mixed with cocaine or psychostimulants are driving more overdose deaths, CDC data show

How illicit fentanyl drives overdose deaths year after year

DEA sounds alarm over fake pills containing fentanyl driving overdose deaths

The Opioid Epidemic in the United States