Which drug is known for causing opioid overdose, a significant public health concern?

Fentanyl is known for causing opioid overdose and has become a significant public health concern due to its potency and widespread illicit use. It is a synthetic opioid that is many times more powerful than morphine and heroin. Because of its high potency, even a small amount of fentanyl can lead to respiratory depression and death, especially in individuals who are not opioid-tolerant. The emergence of fentanyl in the drug supply has been a driving factor behind the increase in overdose deaths, making awareness and understanding of its risks critical in addressing the opioid crisis.

While heroin is also an opioid that can result in overdose, fentanyl's synthetic nature and the fact that it is often mixed with other drugs increase the risk of unintentional overdose. Cocaine and methadone, while posing their own risks, do not have the same level of association with opioid overdoses as fentanyl does. This distinction is crucial in understanding the current dynamics of the opioid epidemic. Fentanyl's impact as a leading cause of overdose deaths illustrates the urgent public health challenges posed by potent opioids in the illicit drug market.