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Fentanyl: America's Opioid Epidemic 

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Fentanyl: America's Opioid Epidemic

24/11/2018 GMT

BBC World News - Fentanyl: America's Opioid Epidemic

Reports on the growing problem of opioid addiction in the US.

Two years ago, BBC News reported on the growing problem of opioid addiction in the US. Now we return to find out what has happened to the people we met.

More than 70,000 Americans died from drug overdoses in 2017, the worst year on record. An increasing number are the result of the synthetic opioid fentanyl, a drug 30-50 times more potent than heroin. According to America's Drug Enforcement Agency, just 2mg of fentanyl - equivalent to a few grains of table salt - is a lethal dosage for most people.
Two years ago, BBC News reported on the growing problem of opioid addiction in the US. Now we return to find out what has happened to the people we met and we explore the devastating impact this growing public health crisis is having on cities and services across America. 

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