Moderator: Mark Birdwhistell, MPA, Vice President for Administration and External Affairs, University of Kentucky HealthCare

CE Certified By: AAFP,ACPE,APA,GA Bar,GA POST,NASW

Opioids and other drugs are now increasingly cut with multiple, highly toxic adulterants, in some cases as many as 10 adulterants, in addition to fentanyl. These toxic adulterants can cause numerous medical consequences including death. Unfortunately, these adulterants are not routinely tested by forensic laboratories on seized materials or in testing for individuals undergoing treatment. Failure to identify these “hidden” toxic adulterants can hinder accurate clinical diagnosis.

This presentation will provide an overview of several U.S. State Department-funded projects using state-of-the-art technologies to test street drugs and urine of individuals internationally and domestically, uncovering this unprecedented trend. It will identify the toxic adulterants driving this “hidden” epidemic, their specific health-related effects, and provide guidance to enable health professionals to accurately diagnose adulterant exposure. The presenters' novel data suggest that absent fentanyl, overdose and severe near-term health problems, even death, could occur due to a synergistic effect of multiple toxic adulterants. This information will assist law enforcement and public health officials nationally and internationally, as the toxic adulteration of street drugs is only at the beginning stage.

UPON COMPLETION OF THIS COURSE, PARTICIPANTS WILL BE ABLE TO:
- Identify the major toxic adulterants appearing in heroin.
- Explain the health-related effects of individual toxic adulterants.
- Recognize the importance of evaluating overdose victims for exposure to adulterants.