Recently, VOA reported that the illicit purchase and use of fentanyl is becoming a serious social problem at home.
Following is the main content of the report:
Fentanyl, a potent narcotic analgesic of compound opioid series, was developed to alleviate pain of patients suffering from severe pains including terminal cancer.
Fentanyl is 100 times stronger than morphine, a typical anodyne, and even a minimum dosage can be fatal. But it is in widespread use across the society as it is cheaper than any other conventional drugs and also easy to purchase on the internet.
According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2021 more than 70 000 people died from overdose of compound opioids and 107 000-odd people died of drug misuse. And 70% of them died of addiction to fentanyl.
The CDC estimated that the number of people dying from potent drug addiction such as fentanyl will continue to increase unless an immediate measure is taken against illicit drug trafficking.
Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal reported as follows:
Thousands of babies are born each year and some of them are influenced by their mothers who are addicted to potent drugs like fentanyl and opioids and experience withdrawal symptoms including irritability and rapid breathing.
Truveta, a US healthcare-data company, argued that the rate of drug use by women has rapidly increased over the last few years due to the prevalence of illicit drug markets in the country. As a result, about six in 1 000 babies have been born drug-dependent in each year since 2017 and the number is increasing continuously.
The 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration indicated that nearly 8% of pregnant women among 60 000 respondents had used illicit drugs and some of them had taken illicit opioids periodically.
In this regard, a researcher specializing in obstetrics, gynecology and psychiatry at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia said that until 2009 the rate of babies born drug-dependent was only half compared to the present and expressed concern over the continuous increase in number of women using potent drugs like fentanyl.
Many states of the US demand that mothers who test positive for opioids be reported to child services, but such policy is not very helpful and illicit drug use is becoming rampant in the country, said an assistant professor at the University of North Carolina.
The above data vividly show the reality of the US writhing in drug addiction.
More From Pyongyang Times
At the time when the cheers for inaugurations celebrating the steady success in implementing the regional development policy are
December 29, 2025
At the time when the cheers for inaugurations celebrating the steady success in implementing the regional development policy are
A long-range strategic cruise missile launching drill was staged on the West Sea of Korea on December 28. The drill was aimed at
December 29, 2025
A long-range strategic cruise missile launching drill was staged on the West Sea of Korea on December 28. The drill was aimed at
Russian President Vladimir Putin made a speech at a meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council on December 21. The Eurasian
December 29, 2025
Russian President Vladimir Putin made a speech at a meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council on December 21. The Eurasian
To preserve the rights of children is an important issue related with the development of countries and nations and the future of h
December 29, 2025
To preserve the rights of children is an important issue related with the development of countries and nations and the future of h
New houses have appeared at the Samwon Industrial Crop Farm and the Hyangphung Farm in Songchon County and the Yakjon Farm in
December 29, 2025
New houses have appeared at the Samwon Industrial Crop Farm and the Hyangphung Farm in Songchon County and the Yakjon Farm in
A spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejected Japan’s “theory of nuclear possession” at a press conference on D
December 29, 2025
A spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejected Japan’s “theory of nuclear possession” at a press conference on D
The Sangwon Cement Complex carried out its 2025 task for additionally producing hundreds of thousands of tons of cement and
December 29, 2025
The Sangwon Cement Complex carried out its 2025 task for additionally producing hundreds of thousands of tons of cement and
Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s
December 28, 2025
Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s
A national flag-raising and oath-taking ceremony took place at the Mansudae Assembly Hall on December 27 to mark Constitution Day
December 28, 2025
A national flag-raising and oath-taking ceremony took place at the Mansudae Assembly Hall on December 27 to mark Constitution Day
People in Kaephung District of Kaesong Municipality greeted the moment of a significantly auspicious event. An inauguration
December 28, 2025
People in Kaephung District of Kaesong Municipality greeted the moment of a significantly auspicious event. An inauguration
In Yomju County, a northwestern coastal area of the DPRK, modern regional-industry factories have been built as a solid foundation
December 28, 2025
In Yomju County, a northwestern coastal area of the DPRK, modern regional-industry factories have been built as a solid foundation
Modern houses have been built at farms in Nampho Municipality, manifesting the change of the socialist modern villages that are
December 28, 2025
Modern houses have been built at farms in Nampho Municipality, manifesting the change of the socialist modern villages that are
Fashionable dwelling houses have appeared at the Pumin and Songhung farms and the Toksong Apple Farm in Hamhung City of South
December 28, 2025
Fashionable dwelling houses have appeared at the Pumin and Songhung farms and the Toksong Apple Farm in Hamhung City of South
Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's
December 28, 2025
Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's
Ryanggang Province built a new black swan breeding base at the Kapsan Duck Farm under the provincial rural economy committee. The
December 28, 2025
Ryanggang Province built a new black swan breeding base at the Kapsan Duck Farm under the provincial rural economy committee. The
Kim Jong Un, president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, sent a message of greeting to Vladimir
December 28, 2025
Kim Jong Un, president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, sent a message of greeting to Vladimir
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un received a flower basket from Thongloun Sisoulith, general secretary of the Central Committee of
December 28, 2025
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un received a flower basket from Thongloun Sisoulith, general secretary of the Central Committee of
Kim Jong Un, president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, received a message of greeting from
December 28, 2025
Kim Jong Un, president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, received a message of greeting from
Russian President Vladimir Putin referred to the achievements made by the Eurasian Economic Union on December 21. Saying that the
December 27, 2025
Russian President Vladimir Putin referred to the achievements made by the Eurasian Economic Union on December 21. Saying that the
The December 15 Quality Medals were awarded to the best products of the Phyongsong Bag Factory, the Songdowon General Foodstuff
December 27, 2025
The December 15 Quality Medals were awarded to the best products of the Phyongsong Bag Factory, the Songdowon General Foodstuff
More Articles
