Narcotics (Opioids)

WHAT ARE NARCOTICS?

Also known as “opioids,” the term “narcotic” comes from the Greek word for “stupor” and originally referred to a variety of substances that dulled the senses and relieved pain. Though some people still refer to all drugs as “narcotics,” today “narcotic” refers to opium, opium derivatives, and their semi-synthetic substitutes. A more current term for these drugs, with less uncertainty regarding its meaning, is “opioid.” Examples include the illicit drug heroin and pharmaceutical drugs like OxyContin, Vicodin, codeine, morphine, methadone, and fentanyl.

WHAT IS THEIR ORIGIN?

The poppy Papaver somniferum is the source for all natural opioids, whereas synthetic opioids are made entirely in a lab and include meperidine, fentanyl, and methadone. Semi-synthetic opioids are synthesized from naturally occurring opium products, such as morphine and codeine, and include heroin, oxycodone, hydrocodone, and hydromorphone. Teens can obtain narcotics from friends, family members, medicine cabinets, pharmacies, nursing homes, hospitals, hospices, doctors, and the Internet

May 31, 2019

Updating the Prescription Opioid Threat in Pennsylvania

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Philadelphia Division’s Intelligence Program (PDIP) reviewed a set of data indicators for the years 2015-2018 to assess the current prescription opioid threat in Pennsylvania. Analysis revealed that a positive change in the prescription opioid threat may be underway...

June 4, 2019

Greg Cherundolo The Countdown: Fentanyl Analogues and the Expiring Emergency Scheduling Order

Greg Cherundolo Chief of Operations Office of Global Enforcement Drug Enforcement Administration U.S. Department of Justice before the United States Senate Judiciary Committee for hearing entitled: The Countdown: Fentanyl Analogues and the Expiring Emergency Scheduling Order.

February 21, 2019

Acting Administrator Uttam Dhillon, Museum of Natural History and Science

Acting Administrator Uttam Dhillon at the Drugs: Cost and Consequences Press Conference, Museum of Natural History and Science, Albuquerque, New Mexico

February 19, 2019

Athletes and Opioids Poster

What is prescription pain reliever misuse? As defined by the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, it’s “use without a prescription of one’s own or use at a higher dosage or more often than prescribed.” Prescription opioid addiction – stemming from misuse – has hit the nation hard in recent years. Unfortunately, high school student-athletes can be especially vulnerable to prescription painkiller misuse. This poster encourages teens, parents and other caregivers, and educators to know the risks around misusing pain pills.

October 2, 2018

2018 National Drug Threat Assessment (NDTA)

The 2018 National Drug Threat Assessment (NDTA) is a comprehensive strategic assessment of the threat posed to the United States by domestic and international drug trafficking and the abuse of illicit drugs. The report combines federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement reporting; public health data; open source reporting; and intelligence from other government agencies to determine which substances and criminal organizations represent the greatest threat to the United States.

October 12, 2018

Acting Administrator Uttam Dhillon, Instead Opioid Summit Plenary Opening Remarks

Acting Administrator Uttam Dhillon, delivers plenary opening remarks for the Instead Opioid Summit in Salt Lake City Utah

September 6, 2018

Paul E. Knierim - Tackling Fentanyl: The China Connection

Statement of Paul E. Knierim Deputy Chief of Operations, Office of Global Enforcement Before the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights and International Organizations Committee on Foreign Affairs U.S. House of Representatives for a hearing entitled "Tackling Fentanyl: The China Connection"

November 28, 2017

Fentanyl Safety Recommendations for First Responders

The abuse of drugs containing fentanyl is killing Americans. Misinformation and inconsistent recommendations regarding fentanyl have resulted in confusion in the first responder community. This document provides scientific, evidence-based recommendations to protect first responders from exposure.

October 4, 2018

How to Properly Dispose of Your Unused Medicines

Unused or expired prescription medications are a public safety issue. The Drug Enforcement Administration provides guidance on the right way to dispose of unused medicine.

February 1, 2016

Chasing The Dragon Discussion Guide

The objectives of the discussion guide are to have students process and interact with the content covered in the film and then answer questions to demonstrate their understanding of the material.