Controversies and carfentanil: We have much to learn about the present state of opioid poisoning

Over the last 30years North America has witnessed a tremendous rise in prescription opioid abuse, addiction, overdose, and death [1]. It is now clear that this was in large part an iatrogenic epidemic with a multifaceted etiology with contributions made from nearly every specialty in medicine [2-6]. In response, the medical establishment moved to reduce opioid prescribing, create abuse deterrent formulations, implement prescription drug monitoring programs, and expand access to medication-assisted therapy, all with limited success.
Source: The American Journal of Emergency Medicine - Category: Emergency Medicine Authors: Source Type: research