Fentanyl Abuse in Oklahoma

In Oklahoma, fentanyl has been linked with multiple teen deaths. The rate of fentanyl abuse from 2019 to present time has increased up to 1,300%.

 Over the years, law enforcement officer Anderson said that 2 milligrams of pure fentanyl is enough to cause an overdose for an average adult.

 Officer Anderson said that 18 pounds (51 milligrams) of fentanyl was confiscated from investigations and arrests in 2021, in more recent arrests they seized 6 times the amount of fentanyl than before.

Death rates went from 50 in 2019 to 748 in 2023, 2024 and 2025 numbers haven’t yet been finalized. Due to the U.S. Border being secure from Mexico, the action started slowing the process of drug trafficking to the U.S. however that does mean the danger isn’t still high. 

Most drugs people buy off the streets have been infused with fentanyl and people don't realize that they are consuming it. Some overdose victims have been babies or young children who only innocently or accidentally encountered drugs, not knowing whether it has been infused with fentanyl or not. 

Most victims consume fentanyl often from buying unprescribed medication off the street from drug dealers and then overdosing on the fentanyl infected medication. 

Written by: Carson Smith