Fentanyl, also spelled fentanil, is a highly potent synthetic opioid primarily used as an analgesic. Since 2018, fentanyl and its analogues have been responsible for most drug overdose deaths in the United States, causing over 71,238 deaths in 2021.
Opioids are present in my area, although I don’t know the terms and things well. I have been visiting the local recovery center the past few weeks. It seems a wonderful place full of hope and community energy, staffed by people themselves in recovery. I don’t identify as an addict, but find some of my behaviors similar. I like the idea of volunteering. The stories of the people there can seem intense. For example, their friends die from overdoses regularly, and there is a wall covered in memorials and photos of people who didn’t make it. It’s very real, and can seem to cast one directly at the juncture of healing and pain. They ask not to share what people say at the meetings, which is a little sad to me because the stories seem so important and unheard-sounding.