Background

Fentanyl

Fentanyl is a Schedule II synthetic opiate painkiller. ^[1]
The dosage of fentanyl is a microgram (or one millionth of a gram). It is up to 50 times more potent than heroin, quickly causing an overdose. ^[2]
Fentanyl is often mixed with heroin to increase potency or even sold as heroin or look-a-like prescription drug tablets. Often, dealers and users do not even know what they have, causing a large number of overdoses. ^[3]
Fentanyl production and sales are increasing with the increasing number of overdoses. In 2015, the DEA's National Forensic Lab Information System reported 13,002 exhibits of fentanyl tested nationwide. This is up 65% from 2014 when 7,864 exhibits were tested. ^[4]
The DEA released a Roll Call video alerting all law enforcement nationwide about the dangers of handling even a small amount of fentanyl. ^[5]
Edmonton recently had a large fentanyl bust
A recent fentanyl bust in NYC had 100 pounds of fentanyl, enough to kill every person in NYC and New Jersey. According to a CNN article, they got 6 years and 10 years in prison.