The Future of Fentanyl and Other Synthetic Opioids

Synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl, are now the driving force behind U.S. opioid-involved overdose deaths. Overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids have increased tenfold since 2003 and were involved in more than 30,000 deaths in 2018.

The spread of fentanyl is unique. It’s more like a poisoning outbreak than it is like other drug epidemics. The spread of cheap, super-potent fentanyl and other synthetic opioids is largely driven by suppliers. At least in early stages, many users buy fentanyl unknowingly, and some actively try to avoid it. Fentanyl overdoses have been concentrated in the eastern United States, but new data show it’s spreading west.

This crisis requires innovative approaches. In addition to reducing barriers to treatment, policymakers should consider new approaches for monitoring and surveillance to track when synthetic opioids emerge in a drug market, piloting novel treatments and strategies to reduce the chance an overdose becomes fatal, and innovative ways to disrupt online drug markets and shipping. Taking bold action to reduce harm now could save thousands of lives.

Learn more about RAND’s research on fentanyl and other synthetic opioids here: https://www.rand.org/fentanyl