California has always had a problem with drug trafficking over the border. Because it shares a border with Mexico, traffickers have looked for easy ways to get drugs like cocaine into the United States. Once here, they can then move their products along major routes to get everywhere. Nowadays, there are newer and more toxic drugs taking over. While a lot of emphasis has been on meth use in the past 2-3 decades, there is a new player on the market and it’s deadly.
Methamphetamine rose in popularity during the 90s and it was quickly discovered that people could cook it themselves instead of buying it from traffickers and dealers. It became a money-making enterprise as well as a source of drugs for the people who wanted and needed it for their addiction. It was also cheaper than some of the other drugs on the market, but just as addictive and harmful long-term.
Meth houses became an issue of concern because the homes could make people sick even if they had never used meth themselves. So, when homebuyers were looking for new places to live, it became important for some to have their home tested for these harmful substances before they bought a house.
Not only that, but newer forms of meth are leading to a scourge of mental illness that’s affecting many many people. It’s why so many people eventually end up seeking meth treatment in LA. It’s too hard and dangerous to give up cold turkey, so people seek out help to overcome their meth addiction.
Now there is something new that’s capturing headlines, and it’s not just making people sick. Fentanyl is up to 100 times more potent than morphine. This means that even the tiniest amounts can knock a grown man down and even lead to death. It’s often used for cancer patients to treat them for pain that morphine can’t touch. The problem isn’t just if you take it directly. It’s also if the substance is left behind on surfaces that it’s becoming apparent could even cause problems.
There was a news headline out of Florida where a family stayed in an AirBnB that had unknowingly been a party house. In fact, in the days prior to their stay, there had been a huge party. What the partygoers left behind was Fentanyl residues and it proved to be fatal to their infant child. What was supposed to be a family vacation turned into an unimaginable nightmare. It led to the family suing AirBnB, the property manager, and even the guest for their negligence.
It appears that we need to pay more attention to Fentanyl and the harm that it can cause people. It’s no secret that Los Angeles and the surrounding areas have many faces. From the beaches for partiers, families, and surfers to the city nightlife to the businesses that thrive in this metropolis. The party and nightlife scene is a place where people can find themselves doing more reckless things. Taking a party drug that’s always been safe enough, could now be laced with toxic amounts of Fentanyl. And while meth is still of concern, the bigger concern now, is that meth users aren’t just buying meth when they get their drugs.
Fentanyl is the cause of most drug overdose deaths now, and this is a huge problem. As this drug permeates every level of society from the people who buy a drug to get an edge in business to those who are stumbling around homeless on street corners, no one appears to be safe. Another issue is the infiltration of drugs into the school systems. Los Angeles teenagers who think they are simply buying marijuana may be getting something laced with Fentanyl. This can lead to deaths if they are unaware or buying from untrustworthy sources.
It’s important to continue to bring awareness of this problem to the forefront. Being able to make safe decisions starts with knowledge. And the more people who know about Fentanyl and the problems it can cause, the better. It’s crucial to teach young people in schools about drugs and the unlikely places they could be exposed to them as well. Adults and kids alike can work together to make healthy choices now and in the future.
