Why does fentanyl have so much power in north central West Virginia?

CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY) — West Virginia is no stranger to drug epidemics, as it is currently facing the opioid crisis head-on. But in recent years, the trends of prescription pills and heroin have given way to a substance best known as a “one-and-done killer”: fentanyl.

In an interview with 12 News, Northern District of West Virginia District Attorney William Ihlenfeld called the drug “the largest drug threat law enforcement has ever faced.”

The chemicals in fentanyl are shipped from China, produced in Mexico, and distributed to the United States through major drug cartels.

The drug has become popular with dealers because of how cheap and easy it is to make. Heroin, on the other hand, requires longer processing time and costs to produce; fentanyl’s lower cost means higher profits.

12 News also spoke with Mateen Abdul Maziz, also known as “Tuna,” a Clarksburg activist who once sold drugs.

“I’ve never done drugs, I don’t know what it’s like to get that high, but I can tell you that when you’re chasing money, it’s an adrenaline rush, just like being on a roller coaster,” Tuna said.

According to Ihlenfeld, the consequences of fentanyl use are often fatal for a first-time user. However, that does not deter users, according to Tuna.

“It’s a one-time thing, that whole era of experimentation is over now. It used to be that young people could try something, maybe their friend shared it with them at a party and tell people about it, and that era is over,” Ihlenfeld said.

“When you overdose, people hear about it. Wherever that person got it, the next person wants to go to the same place because in their eyes, that’s where you get the good stuff,” Tuna said.

When drugs like methamphetamine and cocaine are mixed with low doses of fentanyl, it creates greater addiction and a loyal user.

Statistics show that pressed pills affect adolescents more than other age groups because they think they are buying Percocet or Adderall.

“The trends in the United States show that kids in that age group are using drugs less, drug use is down, which is fantastic, I think alcohol use is down, which is fantastic, but the deaths are up. So how come they’re using drugs less, but dying more? It’s because of fentanyl,” Ihlenfeld said.

“It doesn’t matter who you are, this drug epidemic affects us all, directly or indirectly. As a community, as a city, as a state, we have to be better at providing services to help the people who are there. You know, we can be angry and complain, but complaining about them isn’t going to do anything. We have to make it easier to get services so they can get that help,” Tuna said.

More information about fentanyl and its effects can be found on the U.S. DEA website. Specific statistics for West Virginia are available on the West Virginia Office of Drug Control Policy website.