Trinidad and Tobago is working with the United States on its project aimed at achieving a fentanyl-free America.
The drug fentanyl is very dangerous. It is a powerful synthetic opioid analgesic that is similar to morphine but is between 50 and 100 times more potent.
Special Agent in charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Caribbean Division, Michael Miranda, said the problem cannot be ignored, even in Trinidad and Tobago.
“Fentanyl has been a huge problem in the United States. Although right now, our overdoses and poisonings are trending downward, which is great, we are concerned of those things coming out to the Caribbean. As you well know, usually when things start in the United States, they make their way to different parts of the world, the Caribbean being one of them. And the drug traffickers are always looking for new markets, always looking for new customers. Right now we haven’t seen a large amount of fentanyl in Trinidad, but we want to get in front of this. We want to get the message out to people. And I am aware that Carnival is coming up and I think that’s a vital time to let people know about the dangers of fentanyl.”
Agent Miranda says that fentanyl continues to be the primary cause of drug overdose deaths in the United States. Even a very small amount of fentanyl, for example two milligrammes, the size of a few grains of sand, can cause a lethal overdose.
He says the DEA’s strategy for fighting the scourge is multi-pronged.
“The first one being enforcement. Getting out and finding out who the traffickers are. Second being, partnership: working together with local police departments, with neighbouring countries and third is education which I think is the most important. Educating young people, educating communities, educating schools about how dangerous fentanyl is and how tricky it can be when trying to figure out what is fentanyl and how it affects people.”
He emphasises that people need to know the dangers of the drug, including the effects it causes, like euphoria, confusion, nausea and vomiting, and even respiratory depression leading to death.