The Future of Fentanyl and Other Synthetic Opioids

Deaths involving synthetic opioids such as fentanyl increased from roughly 3000 in 2013 to more than 30000 in 2018. This analysis provides decisionmakers researchers media outlets and the public with insights intended to improve their understanding of the synthetic opioid problem and how to respond to it. Limiting policy responses to existing approaches will likely be insufficient and may condemn many people to early deaths.