Mike's fentanyl experience

Mike, a 48-year-old army veteran, smokes homemade fentanyl that costs three or four dollars and causes severe side effects.

“This drug will damn near make you do anything, unfortunately”

Fentanyl's danger

Fentanyl is 50 to 100 times more powerful than heroin and is often cut with synthetic tranquilisers that make reviving overdose victims difficult.

Overdose deaths trend

In 2022, 110,000 Americans died from overdoses, dropping to around 70,000 last year but the crisis continues.

Xylazine and medetomidine

Xylazine, a synthetic animal tranquiliser, causes deep skin ulcers and is not reversed by naloxone, making overdoses more dangerous.

“Xylazine, and the one we can't pronounce”

Hope Dealers recovery group

Hope Dealers, a recovery group in Columbus, helps members share stories and overcome addiction with support from the community.

“It's not luck. I'm supposed to be here”

Chicago overdose crisis

In Chicago, 78% of fatal overdoses involve stimulants, with many users unknowingly mixing fentanyl into crack cocaine.

“The crisis has just shifted”

Drug testing in jails

Cook County jail tests 25% of incoming mail for moisture, finding drugs soaked in paper that cause fatal overdoses.

Karen's recovery story

Karen, a former heroin user, has been clean for 17 years and helps others with drug-related injuries and addiction.

“so many things are being mixed in right now”

Chicago dealer's perspective

A chicago dealer for mexican cartels says synthetics are the biggest threat, with no end in sight for the drug crisis.

“We haven't seen... what synthetics can do yet”

Overdose deaths in ohio

Overdose deaths among black men in ohio are increasing, with synthetic drugs causing more harm than traditional opioids.

Abby's story

Abby, a 17-year-old, was born while her mother was in jail after she quit heroin, avoiding drug-related deaths.

“Nah, i've seen it mess with my family too much”

Synthetic drug wave

Homemade synthetic drugs are causing a new wave of overdose deaths, with users unaware of the dangerous mixtures they consume.

The war on drugs

The war on drugs has failed, with synthetic drugs now being produced in homes rather than across borders.

“I don't think there's anybody involved with it who would sit there and say it's a raging success”

Treatment as solution

Sheriff dart says addressing substance abuse treatment is key to reducing overdose deaths from synthetic drugs.

“You can reduce the market if you can address people's issues with substance abuse”

Long-term impact

The drug crisis has shifted from heroin to prescription opioids to fentanyl and now to synthetic drugs, affecting generations.