By Nia Bender
COLORADO SPRINGS – Statewide, overdose deaths involving Fentanyl have more than doubled, rising some 111-percent in the last two years. Deaths from the drug rose to 452-last year from 214-in 2019. All overdose deaths, including from heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine, totaled 1223 in 2020, up nearly 20-percent from the year before.
It’s expected to get much worse according to the state health department. Fentanyl is a dangerous, potent, synthetic opioid. It’s considered 10-times more deadly than heroin. Health officials say they’re concerned the pandemic is leading to increased rates of anxiety and depression, which will then lead to more drug deaths. Drug busts involving Fentanyl being smuggled in from Mexico, have doubled since 2017.
The drug travels through Texas and New Mexico before it arrives in Colorado. If you know anyone struggling with drug abuse, click here.
