Illicit Fentanyl

Characteristics, uses, and impacts of illicit fentanyl upon society have combined to
create a perfect storm in science. In recent years, fentanyl has been responsible for almost 210,000
poisonings in the US, with hundreds of people dying each day, and the number is rapidly growing.
More research to understand better and to increase illicit fentanyl mitigation, such as naloxone and
vaccination, is needed. Confidence in literature data and results is necessary in order to inspire
scientists to enter a field, but fentanyl has displayed anomalies in its chemical behavior and has
experienced anomalies in its data compilation and analysis, which has made it confusing and
daunting.