Fentanyl Co‑use Amplifies Overdose Deaths

The CDC data show that when synthetic opioids (mostly illicit fentanyl) are present, death rates for other drugs (prescription opioids, heroin, psychostimulants, cocaine) rise — but absent fentanyl, only psychostimulants and cocaine rose. This suggests fentanyl's spread is not just adding deaths but amplifying the lethality of other drug markets through polysubstance involvement. — If fentanyl increases the lethality of multiple drug markets, overdose policy needs to prioritize fentanyl‑targeted interventions (testing, treatment, distribution of naloxone) across drug‑use communities, not only opioid users.