The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has issued a public alert about a highly potent tranquilizer increasingly appearing in illegal drug supplies across the US.
Officials believe the substance may be linked to a large number of overdose fatalities nationwide.
The drug is carfentanil, an opioid so powerful that extremely tiny amounts can be deadly. For comparison, a lethal dose of fentanyl is around two milligrams, while as little as 0.2 milligrams of carfentanil is reported to be enough to kill — an amount smaller than a grain of salt.
The DEA said in its public health warning:
“Carfentanil is a synthetic opioid approximately 10,000 times more potent than morphine and 100 times more potent than fentanyl.
“The presence of carfentanil in illicit US drug markets is cause for concern, as the relative strength of this drug could lead to an increase in overdoses and overdose-related deaths, even among opioid-tolerant users.”
Carfentanil is primarily used in veterinary settings, where it can sedate elephants and other very large animals.
Authorities also warn the danger isn’t limited to the person who ingests it. The DEA says accidental exposure can put first responders and law enforcement at risk when they handle substances that may be contaminated with carfentanil.
The agency warned:
“Carfentanil and other fentanyl analogues present a serious risk to public safety, first responder, medical, treatment, and laboratory personnel,”
“These substances can come in several forms, including powder, blotter paper, tablets, patch, and spray. Some forms can be absorbed through the skin or accidentally inhaled.”
Mail Online reports that 2024 data linked the drug to 413 overdose deaths.
By May 2025, carfentanil had been detected in 37 states.
Explaining why the drug is especially dangerous, Dr. Hawre Jalal, a professor of health economics at the University of Ottawa, told Newsweek:
“Because of this potency, even very small changes in the amount present in the drug supply can substantially increase overdose risk.”
He added that one of the main dangers is ‘people using drugs may not know carfentanil is present, and accurate dosing in illicit markets is extremely difficult’.
Because carfentanil is so strong, naloxone — the medication used to reverse opioid overdoses — may be less effective, potentially requiring additional doses and rapid medical intervention.
Frank Tarentino, the DEA’s chief of operations for its northeast region, described the situation as ‘extremely frightening’.
He told CNN:
“You’re talking about not even a grain of salt that could be potentially lethal,”
adding:
“This presents an extremely frightening proposition for substance abuse dependent people who seek opioids on the street today.”
If you want friendly, confidential advice about drugs, you can call American Addiction Centers on (313) 209-9137 24/7, or contact them through their website.