Fentanyl is an opioid synthetic that is 50-100 times stronger than morphine and typically used to treat severe pain associated with cancer or surgery, but has recently become an illicit substance used by drug abusers in the US. Overdose deaths caused by illicit use have increased dramatically – according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 93,000 Americans died of drug overdose deaths between 2016-20, with synthetic opioids like fentanyl being responsible. We will explore its growing national use here as well as how HDx Labs national independent lab can play its part in combating it.
Fentanyl use has become an increasing national problem due to various factors including overprescription of opioids, illegal manufacture and distribution, increased demand from addiction treatment programs and its mixture with other substances such as heroin or cocaine – increasing risk of overdose and death. Because fentanyl’s potency necessitates regular testing and monitoring measures.
HDx, a national independent laboratory, plays an essential role in combating the growing concern over fentanyl use. HDx offers advanced testing services that enable healthcare providers and law enforcement agencies to detect and monitor its use; its sophisticated equipment enables even trace amounts of fentanyl to be detected within blood, urine, and hair samples.
HDx Lab services provide healthcare providers with invaluable insights into their patients’ opioid use. By identifying fentanyl in patient samples, healthcare providers can adjust treatment plans to prevent overdose and death as well as identify patients at increased risk of addiction so appropriate interventions and support services can be put into place for these individuals.
HDx testing services not only offer healthcare providers useful data, but also play an invaluable role in law enforcement efforts to combat illegal manufacturing and distribution of fentanyl. Law enforcement agencies use HDx testing services to identify illicit sources, track distribution routes and arrest and prosecute individuals involved with drug trade operations.
The increase in national fentanyl use is a serious threat that requires a comprehensive solution that involves multiple stakeholders – healthcare providers, law enforcement agencies and testing laboratories such as HDx. HDx Labs provides advanced testing services that enable healthcare providers and law enforcement agencies to identify and monitor fentanyl usage for identification purposes; working together we can fight the increasing problem and help prevent overdose and death from overdose and overdose.
To learn more, Visit CDC
Written By
Ashley Sweat, CEO
HDx Labs
hdxnow.com
HDx should tie these articles in with social media avenues to also drive more interactions with consumers, patients, and medical field experts.