Fentanyl: A Concern Not a Crisis

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Local authorities and medical professionals seeking to raise awareness about illicit drug use in the country. While the more familiar substances such as marijuana, alcohol and cocaine continue to rise, a local doctor says they are now keeping an eye out for a new drug hitting the streets of The Bahamas.

Dr. Kirk Christie, director of addiction services at Sandilands Rehabilitation Center, says one dose of the drug equals about 10 to 15 grains of table salt.  And an overdose can kill you in as fast as 5 minutes. While the drug is produced legally, it’s the street-manufactured drug that’s raising alarms.

Fentanyl tablets can sell for anywhere between thirty to fifty dollars. And as for the potential of being drugged. Dr. Christie says vigilance in crowded environments is key, as fentanyl can be produced in several forms.

And as the age-old warning goes: If you happen to leave a drink unattended, he says, “Toss it.”

While the use of fentanyl has not reached crisis level, a report from police shows there have been 6 related deaths locally since 2016.  Two of the victims were Bahamian and the other four were non-nationals.

So, what exactly is it about the dangerous drug that makes it so alluring?

If you or someone you know may have overdosed on fentanyl, officials urge immediate medical attention. And what makes it difficult to treat, Dr. Christie says, is the fact the ante-dote is not readily or widely available.