The opioid crisis in the United States is currently claiming the lives of more than 50,000 people a year, a truly shocking death toll largely fueled by fentanyl. The drug, approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), is many more times powerful than heroin. When administered properly under strict medical supervision, it's a legitimate and effective painkiller. But fentanyl misuse is causing the deaths of around 150 people every day across the country. Sadly, many of these victims are teenagers.
So, why is fentanyl so harmful, and what's being done to save lives? Click through and find out more about the opioid that's killing America.