Fentanyl is so deadly that some Central New Yorkers who are addicted to opioids have begun taking “test shots” — sample doses — for their safety, to see how they’ll react to the drug, an expert said.
It’s one recommendation case workers at ACR Health make to their clients, said Alessandra Miller, director of drug user health for ACR Health, a local nonprofit that runs a needle exchange and other programs for users.
Hyper-potent, cheaply made synthetic opioids like fentanyl have shaken up the drug market for users, dealers and law enforcement.
The DEA considers just 2 milligrams of fentanyl to be a lethal dose. That looks like a few grains of salt.
Pure fentanyl, known on the streets as “China White,” is highly addictive and can easily cause overdose — especially for users who might have no idea what they are buying, and rely on a drug dealer for dosage instructions.
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