- Another drug death from "zombie drug" fentanyl in North Rhine-Westphalia
The number of drug-related deaths linked to Fentanyl and other synthetic opioids has decreased by nearly 60 percent in North Rhine-Westphalia since 2015. Last year, there were 28 fatalities, as reported by the Düsseldorf Ministry of the Interior in response to a query from the AfD state parliamentary group. After a continuous decline, the number reached a low of six deaths in 2020 but has since increased again.
Synthetic opioids like Fentanyl are 100 times more deadly than Heroin. As little as 2 milligrams of Fentanyl can be fatal, compared to 200 milligrams of Heroin. According to the federal drug commissioner, around 100,000 people in the US die each year from the effects of consuming synthetic opioids, particularly Fentanyl. In a report to the parliamentary committee, Interior Minister Herbert Reul (CDU) stated earlier this year that the State Criminal Police Office does not expect an epidemic spread of Fentanyl in this country.
The "Zombie Drug" Fentanyl
Fentanyl can be swallowed, injected, snorted, smoked, or applied as a patch. It is extremely potent - even when used legally as a painkiller - but also carries high risks of personality changes, addiction, and even death. Due to the stiffened muscles and resulting jerky movements and unrounded gait from prolonged use, it is often referred to as a "Zombie Drug".
In North Rhine-Westphalia last year, the majority of fatalities linked to such drugs were men (23) and people with German citizenship (21). Overall, the age group above 40 was most affected.
Addiction experts recommend "drug checking", allowing drug addicts to test their heroin for deadly contaminants. However, this has not been possible due to the lack of a federal legal basis, Reul replied to the AfD. "The state government does not have any fundamental insights into the origin or possible perpetrators involved in the production and illegal trafficking of Fentanyl, also due to its legal availability as a medication," he added.
The AfD questioning led to the disclosure of 28 drug-related fatalities linked to Fentanyl in North Rhine-Westphalia last year. Despite the Interior Minister's assertion that an epidemic spread of Fentanyl is not expected, the AfD raised concerns about the lack of a federal legal basis for drug checking, which could help prevent fatalities.
