Because Fentanyl Is Harder To Track, Death Toll Doesn’t Tell Full Story
Doctors treating overdose patients often look for more common painkillers as the culprit, making it hard to get a clear view of how many have been affected by the synthetic drug. It can also be missed in standard tests and not all hospitals have the set up to conduct the special lab tests it often takes to detect it.
KPCC:
Why It's So Hard To Track The Powerful Opioid Fentanyl
In the wake of the deaths of 14 people in the Sacramento area who ingested a counterfeit brand name medication laced with the powerful opiate fentanyl, Los Angeles County health officials have advised area doctors to be on the alert for the drug. L.A. officials think fentanyl misuse is a problem, but they don't know for sure because it's difficult to monitor. (Plevin, 5/2)