#243 ‒ The fentanyl crisis and why everyone should be paying attention | Anthony Hipolito | The Peter Attia Drive

Intro

In this episode of “The Peter Attia Drive,” Peter Attia discusses the fentanyl crisis and why it is important for everyone to pay attention. He interviews Anthony Hipolito, a retired Austin police officer who now works in the Hayes County Sheriff’s Office Community Outreach Unit. Anthony shares his experiences and insights into the dangers of fentanyl and the impact it has on communities.

Main Takeaways

The Dangers of Fentanyl

• Illicit fentanyl use is causing accidental overdoses and poisonings.
• Fentanyl is being used as a feedstock to produce other drugs because it is cheaper and produces a better high.
• Kids are accidentally taking drugs laced with fentanyl because the dosage is incorrect.
• Fentanyl is making its way into other drugs such as cocaine, and people who use illicit drugs recreationally should listen to this podcast to understand the prevalence of fentanyl and how it affects them.
• Fentanyl is a dangerous drug that affects everyone, regardless of race, social status, or location.

The Work of Anthony Hipolito

• The podcast features Anthony, who is a one-man show traveling all over Texas to raise awareness about the dangers of fentanyl.
• The Hayes County Sheriff Office community outreach program funds Anthony’s work, and listeners can make a donation to support the cause or connect with their local Sheriff’s Office to get this message into schools.
• Anthony is a retired Austin police officer who now works in the Hayes County Sheriff’s Office Community Outreach Unit.
• The Community Outreach Unit aims to show citizens that police officers are human and to reach out to the community through various programs.

The Prevalence of Fentanyl

• Fentanyl started being seen on the black market in 2017-2018, mostly shipped from China through FedEx and USPS.
• Mexican cartels have entered the fentanyl market, making it more prevalent in recent years.
• Fentanyl is a very potent drug used for pain and sedation, dosed in micrograms.
• Synthetic fentanyl made by cartels has the same molecular structure as prescribed fentanyl, but the dosage is not controlled and can be lethal in small amounts.
• Fentanyl attacks the respiratory system and can shut down the body, making it a very powerful and dangerous drug.

The Impact on Young People

• Kids these days battle more than what previous generations had to deal with, especially due to social media.
• Noah Rodriguez had eight milligrams of fentanyl in his system, which is four times the amount that it takes to kill somebody.
• Fentanyl overdose is now the number one killer for people aged 18-45, surpassing car accidents and suicide.
• Accidental overdose dominates as the greatest threat to young people’s lives, with numbers increasing exponentially since 2010-2011.
• Mexican cartels are specifically targeting young people by making fentanyl look like candy or other attractive forms to get them addicted at a younger age.

The Need for Awareness and Action

• Counterfeit fentanyl products are indistinguishable from the real thing but have a much higher dose of the active ingredient.
• Parents need to be nosy, take off the blinders, and stop assuming their kids won’t do drugs.
• Narcan can save lives in the case of an opioid overdose, but it is not a cure-all solution and must be administered quickly.
• Decriminalization of drugs for personal possession has been implemented in some places, including Portugal, with mixed results.
• The focus of attention on the opioid crisis is mostly on law enforcement and stopping the supply, but more attention is needed on the mental health side and providing more rehab resources.

Summary

The Dangers of Fentanyl

Illicit fentanyl use is causing accidental overdoses and poisonings. Fentanyl is being used as a feedstock to produce other drugs because it is cheaper and produces a better high. Kids are accidentally taking drugs laced with fentanyl because the dosage is incorrect. Fentanyl is making its way into other drugs such as cocaine, posing a risk to recreational drug users. It is important for everyone to understand the prevalence of fentanyl and how it affects them, as it is a dangerous drug that can have severe consequences regardless of race, social status, or location.

The Work of Anthony Hipolito

Anthony Hipolito, a retired Austin police officer now working in the Hayes County Sheriff’s Office Community Outreach Unit, travels across Texas to raise awareness about the dangers of fentanyl. The Hayes County Sheriff’s Office community outreach program funds Anthony’s work, and listeners can support the cause by making a donation or connecting with their local Sheriff’s Office to bring this message into schools. The Community Outreach Unit aims to bridge the gap between police officers and the community through various programs, emphasizing their humanity and commitment to public safety.

The Prevalence of Fentanyl

Fentanyl started appearing on the black market in 2017-2018, primarily shipped from China through postal services. Mexican cartels have entered the fentanyl market, leading to its increased prevalence. Fentanyl is a highly potent drug used for pain management and sedation, dosed in micrograms. However, synthetic fentanyl produced by cartels lacks controlled dosage, making even small amounts lethal. Fentanyl targets the respiratory system and can shut down the body, making it an exceptionally powerful and dangerous drug.

The Impact on Young People

The fentanyl crisis has a significant impact on young people. Due to the influence of social media and other factors, young individuals face more challenges than previous generations. Fentanyl overdose has become the leading cause of death for individuals aged 18-45, surpassing car accidents and suicide. Mexican cartels specifically target young people by disguising fentanyl as candy or other appealing forms, increasing the likelihood of addiction at a younger age. It is crucial to address this issue and raise awareness to protect the younger generation.

The Need for Awareness and Action

Counterfeit fentanyl products are indistinguishable from the real thing but contain significantly higher doses of the active ingredient. Parents need to be proactive in understanding and addressing their children’s potential drug use, avoiding assumptions that their kids won’t engage in such behavior. While Narcan can save lives in opioid overdose cases, it is not a comprehensive solution and must be administered promptly. The decriminalization of drugs for personal possession has been implemented in some places but with mixed results. It is crucial to shift the focus of the opioid crisis from solely law enforcement to mental health support and increased rehabilitation resources.

Conclusion

The fentanyl crisis poses a severe threat to individuals of all backgrounds. Illicit fentanyl use has led to accidental overdoses and poisonings, necessitating increased awareness and action. Anthony Hipolito’s work in raising awareness about the dangers of fentanyl is commendable, and listeners can support the cause through donations or engaging with their local Sheriff’s Office. It is essential to understand the prevalence of fentanyl, address the impact on young people, and work towards comprehensive solutions that prioritize mental health support and rehabilitation resources.