# Synthetic drugs crisis deepens in US > Homemade fentanyl and synthetics cause overdose deaths as US struggles with new drug wave. - Title: Synthetic drugs crisis deepens in US · BBC News | Shortify - Summary: Homemade fentanyl and synthetics cause overdose deaths as US struggles with new drug wave. Homemade synthetic drugs like fentanyl and medetomidine are… - Keywords: fentanyl, synthetic drugs, overdose deaths, medetomidine, xylazine, naloxone, columbus, cook county, chicago, hope dealers, liv4lali, drug crisis - Source: BBC News — https://bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cmx2wvyv5j17o - Published: 2026-10-18T05:04:31.468+00:00 - Read time: 2 min - Topics: fentanyl, synthetic drugs, overdose deaths, medetomidine, xylazine, naloxone, columbus, cook county, chicago, hope dealers, liv4lali, drug crisis ## 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. ## Key takeaway Homemade synthetic drugs like fentanyl and medetomidine are causing fatal overdoses in the US, with 78% of fatal overdoses in Columbus involving stimulants.