As fentanyl drives overdose deaths, mistaken beliefs persist

By GEOFF MULVIHILL
Associated Press

Fentanyl and other potent synthetic opioids ingrained in the nation’s illicit drug supply are killing more people in the U.S. than any other drug has. But mistaken beliefs persist about fentanyl, how it is trafficked and why so many people are dying. Heading into key elections, there have been assertions that the drug might be handed out like Halloween candy. That’s something the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency’s head has said isn’t true. And some candidates for elected office frame the crisis as mostly a border-control issue, though experts say the key to reining in the crisis is reducing demand for the drugs.