Despite Prince's death, fentanyl still a rarity among opioids
June 07, 2016
IN THE NEWS: The high-profile overdose death of Prince has put a spotlight on the opioid fentanyl, which accounts for only a very small portion of the opioid market. Dr. Padma Gulur, director, UCI Health Pain Management Services, tells KPCC that these types of deaths are usually traced to illegally-made fentanyl that is added to other drugs.
People seeking alternatives to prescription drugs turn to the opioids heroin and fentanyl, and while the number of fentanyl deaths in Orange County is relatively small, it is growing. According to the county coroner, the number of fentanyl deaths rose to 20 last year, compared to 14 in 2014.
“While the number is still relatively small,” Gulur says, “it is alarming to see that it’s made our way into the community.”
Read the KPCC story ›
Learn more about UCI Health Pain Management Services ›