Italy is taking preventative measures to stop the spread of Fentanyl, a lethal opiate drug that has caused a plague in America. The Ministry of Health has issued a maximum-level alert, activating stronger prevention measures to protect pharmaceutical preparations of Fentanyl and its derivatives. The concern comes from the out-of-control circulation of the drug in America, where it has become the main cause of overdoses, resulting in 200,000 overdose victims so far.
The fear of a similar epidemic has prompted the Ministry of Health to distribute a note to the Regions, the Department of Anti-Drug Policies, and the Carabinieri Command for health protection. The note outlines the need to minimize the risk of the drugs leaving the healthcare system and being sold in illicit drug markets. The situation in the European Union, while currently limited, is still cause for concern. In 2021, there were 137 deaths associated with Fentanyl, with 88 of those deaths occurring in Germany. The ministry warns that the current European data is likely an underestimate and that Fentanyl represents a potential threat capable of significantly affecting European health and security in the near future. Italy is taking proactive steps to prevent the spread of this deadly drug within its borders.