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
A spokesman for the Ministry of Commerce of China denounced the sanctions of the UK at a press conference on October 27.He denounc
November 06, 2025
A spokesman for the Ministry of Commerce of China denounced the sanctions of the UK at a press conference on October 27.He denounc
DPRK players returned home on November 4 after taking part in the Third Asian Youth Games held in Bahrain. They bagged eight gold
November 06, 2025
DPRK players returned home on November 4 after taking part in the Third Asian Youth Games held in Bahrain. They bagged eight gold
The people’s laughter is ringing out in Hwasong District of Pyongyang. Among the cultural amenities filled with their happy
November 06, 2025
The people’s laughter is ringing out in Hwasong District of Pyongyang. Among the cultural amenities filled with their happy
A photo exhibition "The Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Area, a magnificent world created on the east coast in the great era of Kim
November 06, 2025
A photo exhibition "The Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Area, a magnificent world created on the east coast in the great era of Kim
Officials of the Party, power and armed forces organs, ministries and national agencies of the DPRK visited the bier of Kim Yong
November 06, 2025
Officials of the Party, power and armed forces organs, ministries and national agencies of the DPRK visited the bier of Kim Yong
In recent years, irrigation has been introduced into hundreds of thousands of hectares of paddy and non-paddy fields across the
November 06, 2025
In recent years, irrigation has been introduced into hundreds of thousands of hectares of paddy and non-paddy fields across the
The National Exhibition of Sci-tech Achievements in the Field of Public Health-2025 opened with due ceremony at the Central Youth
November 06, 2025
The National Exhibition of Sci-tech Achievements in the Field of Public Health-2025 opened with due ceremony at the Central Youth
Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s
November 05, 2025
Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s
The Russian Foreign Ministry warned against Japan’s recent provocative military moves.Japan staged military exercises in different
November 05, 2025
The Russian Foreign Ministry warned against Japan’s recent provocative military moves.Japan staged military exercises in different
DPRK players proved successful at the 14th Asian Acrobatic Gymnastic Championships held in India from October 31 to November 2. Ro
November 05, 2025
DPRK players proved successful at the 14th Asian Acrobatic Gymnastic Championships held in India from October 31 to November 2. Ro
The Pyongyang General Hospital opened in the DPRK on November 3. The medical workers and employees of the hospital are determined
November 05, 2025
The Pyongyang General Hospital opened in the DPRK on November 3. The medical workers and employees of the hospital are determined
New villages with unique architectural beauty have been built at the Nongpho Vegetable Farm in Chongjin City, North Hamgyong
November 05, 2025
New villages with unique architectural beauty have been built at the Nongpho Vegetable Farm in Chongjin City, North Hamgyong
Pak Thae Song, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea and premier
November 05, 2025
Pak Thae Song, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea and premier
Large greenhouse vegetable farms are now boosting vegetable crop yields. The Kangdong Combined Greenhouse Farm has steadily raised
November 05, 2025
Large greenhouse vegetable farms are now boosting vegetable crop yields. The Kangdong Combined Greenhouse Farm has steadily raised
The delegation of Kim Chaek University of Technology led by President Pak Ji Min returned home on November 3 after attending an
November 05, 2025
The delegation of Kim Chaek University of Technology led by President Pak Ji Min returned home on November 3 after attending an
The agricultural sector of the DPRK works hard to thoroughly apply the scientific farming-first principle. All the farmers are
November 05, 2025
The agricultural sector of the DPRK works hard to thoroughly apply the scientific farming-first principle. All the farmers are
A spokesman for the Defense Ministry of China decried the US’ manoeuvres for division at a press conference on October 30.Shortly
November 04, 2025
A spokesman for the Defense Ministry of China decried the US’ manoeuvres for division at a press conference on October 30.Shortly
A quarterfinal between the DPRK and Japanese teams for the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup took place on November 1 (local time).
November 04, 2025
A quarterfinal between the DPRK and Japanese teams for the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup took place on November 1 (local time).
Japan has grown ever more undisguised in its moves to possess the capability for preemptive attack. It has recently launched
November 04, 2025
Japan has grown ever more undisguised in its moves to possess the capability for preemptive attack. It has recently launched
DPRK players won gold medals at four events of the 2025 Asian Cup Rowing Games held in China. Ri Yun Gyong and Ri So Yon took
November 04, 2025
DPRK players won gold medals at four events of the 2025 Asian Cup Rowing Games held in China. Ri Yun Gyong and Ri So Yon took
More Articles
