Seized fentanyl
Image: Colorado State Patrol
On 6 June 2022, Colorado State Patrol, the police agency responsible for policing major roads and investigating major crime in the state, intercepted a cargo of 144 lbs, or 51 kg, of fentanyl. This is believed to be enough to potentially kill 25 million people.
Curiously enough, synthetic opioid overdoes are believed to be on the rise in the US. I am not sure why - increased imports, cheaper production methodology, or perhaps the "war on drugs" that forces drug trafficking organizations to focus on more powerful drugs that promises them the highest profits per unit weight. It may also be some combination of all of the above, or it may be due to some factors I have not mentioned. For example, some sources report that fentanyl smuggling is a subversive operation run by Chinese intelligence, which of course is possible though I have yet to see any solid proof to that effect.
But what is true without a doubt is that great technology of today also comes with some great dangers, and you can only ignore that at your own peril. While I oppose the war on drugs I could consider regulating substances like fentanyl as highly toxic - which it clearly is. Overall, I would advise everyone to be very vigilant, even when out partying (or, perhaps, especially when out partying) and never ingest anything that you do not know the origin of.
References
Colorado State Patrol seizes enough fentanyl to kill 25 million people
Adam Sabes, Fox News, 1 July 2022