Illegal Fentanyl is the scourge of overdoses by opioids

Contrary to media sources prescriptions for opioids (codeine, hydrocodone) is not the main cause of overdoses in the United States.

Illegal sources of fentanyl (DEA). 

Currently, China remains the primary source of fentanyl and fentanyl-related substances trafficked through international mail and express consignment operations environment, as well as the main source for all fentanyl-related substances trafficked into the United States. Seizures of fentanyl sourced from China average less than one kilogram in weight, and often test above 90 percent concentration of pure fentanyl.

This is how Fentanyl is causing so many deaths.  

Fifty times stronger than heroin, one hundred times stronger than morphine, fentanyl is very dangerous, a quantity like 2 grains of salt can be lethal.

A Tavares, Florida police officer has her coworkers to thank for taking decisive, lifesaving action when she overdosed ...from inhaling fentanyl powder accidentally when doing a traffic stop.

 It was a windy day and even though the officer wore protective gloves when handling the plastic containers of fentanyl powder, it is thought that she inhaled some of the fentanyl powder when the wind blew it into the air.  Fortunately her fellow officers had Narcan (a powerful antidote) readily available. Narcan is administered as a nasal spray.

Public health measures such as:

Establishing a leave behind program enables first responders to leave naloxone kits with the family, friends, or bystanders at the scene of a non-fatal overdose. Survivors are at high risk for repeated overdoses, providing naloxone to these individuals and their loved ones is especially important.

VIDEO: Bodycam Shows Officer Overdosing After Fentanyl Exposure, Fellow Officers Saving Her Life With NARCAN: