The Changing Face of Substance Use: Drug Trends and Threats in New England-Recording

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The speaker, a Drug Intelligence Officer for Connecticut, discusses their work within the Overdose Response Strategy (ORS) in New England HIDTA, focusing on drug trends and challenges. They highlight the evolution of the drug landscape, beginning with the OxyContin crisis which transitioned to heroin use, followed by the rise of fentanyl around 2013, significantly altering the drug market from one based on natural sources to synthetic substances.<br /><br />A shift in synthetic drug dominance is noted, with fentanyl being a primary concern due to its high fatality rate, although stimulants like cocaine and methamphetamine also pose significant issues. The discourse covers the complexity of poly-drug use and the illicit drug environment, emphasizing the challenges users face in understanding the composition and risk of substances they consume. The increasing presence of synthetic cannabinoids, carfentanil, and xylosine in drugs exacerbates overdose risks and complicates drug monitoring efforts. The speaker also addresses the prevalence of counterfeit pills disguised as legitimate medications, which pose acute dangers due to their unpredictable content, often involving fentanyl or methamphetamines.

Keywords

Overdose Response Strategy

fentanyl

synthetic drugs

poly-drug use

counterfeit pills

drug trends

Connecticut