Police warn about ‘alarming uptick’ in carfentanil overdoses
By Imani Fleming
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MANCHESTER, New Hampshire (WMUR) — Manchester police are warning the public about what they call an “alarming uptick” in carfentanil-related deaths.
According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, carfentanil is a synthetic opioid that is 10,000 times more potent than morphine and 100 times more potent than fentanyl. The drug is meant to be used as an animal tranquilizer.
“It is not meant for humans, so it’s typically used on elephants, lions, giraffes, things of that nature,” said Christopher Stawasz with American Medical Response.
According to the state medical examiner, carfentanil has contributed to 10 deaths in New Hampshire so far this year, including three in Manchester. That’s up from seven deaths statewide in 2024.
“A tiny, tiny gram, grain if you will, can literally kill you. We like to say that the first time you use carfentanil is generally the last time you use carfentanil. There’s no way that you can tell that carfentanil is in a product you’re using,” Stawasz said.
First responders said unlike heroin or fentanyl, overdose reversal drugs such as naloxone are generally ineffective when it comes to carfentanil.
“In some cases, it’s not able to be reversed. It will instantaneously put you down, knock you out, stop you from breathing and by the time someone figures out that you need help, unfortunately it’s too late,” Stawasz told News 9.
While carfentanil overdoses are up, Manchester police said overdoses from other drugs, like methamphetamine and fentanyl, are down.
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