Washington faltered as fentanyl gripped America

Sort-of-related, for Americans reading this, from a Brit, when I watch US TV programmes, the inclusion of drugs (prescription and illegal) in scripts is so matter-of-fact, it's actually shocking. Comparing like-for-like programs (police dramas, hospital dramas, thrillers), the UK version will invariably have entirely different plots. Sure the US != UK, but it's so weird.

Isn't the USA the only country other than NZ that allows advertising of drugs on TV? Also sales reps from drugs companies isn't a thing we have here either (largely because the NHS is The Buyer of all drugs in the UK).

Re: Washington faltered as fentanyl gripped America

#6

Post by tiffanyh » Tue, Dec 13, 2022, 1:32 PM UTC

spicyusername wrote: post #2

And yet marijuana is still illegal in my state. The impact of legislation like Citizens United and the outsized influence of large institutions on American politics is really unfortunate.

I think you’re conflating things.

Fentanyl is a Schedule II controlled substance. So while yes, it’s “legal” - it’s an extremely controlled narcotic.

Said differently, it’s illegal if you’re in position of it and it wasn’t prescribed by a medical doctor.

Unlike marijuana that doesn’t need a prescription where it’s allowed.

Re: Washington faltered as fentanyl gripped America

#7

Post by ffsoftboiled » Tue, Dec 13, 2022, 1:33 PM UTC

tiffanyh wrote: post #6

spicyusername wrote: post #2

And yet marijuana is still illegal in my state. The impact of legislation like Citizens United and the outsized influence of large institutions on American politics is really unfortunate.

I think you’re conflating things. Fentanyl is a Schedule II controlled substance. So while yes, it’s “legal” - it’s an extremely controlled narcotic. Said differently, it’s illegal if you’re in position of it and it wasn’t prescribed by a medical doctor. Unlike marijuana that doesn’t need a prescription where it’s allowed.

Except marijuana does require a prescription in certain states.

Re: Washington faltered as fentanyl gripped America

#8

Post by jpm_sd » Tue, Dec 13, 2022, 1:34 PM UTC

Opium Wars Round 3 is getting pretty intense.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opium_Wars

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fentanyl

https://www.brookings.edu/research/china-and-synthetic-drugs...

Re: Washington faltered as fentanyl gripped America

#9

Post by Gordonjcp » Tue, Dec 13, 2022, 1:34 PM UTC

Is this somehow different fentanyl for the stuff that in the UK gets handed out in litre bottles to old ladies with dodgy hips?

Because the whole point of fentanyl is the massive therapeutic window and difficulty of overdosing.

Re: Washington faltered as fentanyl gripped America

#10

Post by tiffanyh » Tue, Dec 13, 2022, 1:34 PM UTC

ffsoftboiled wrote: post #7

tiffanyh wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think you’re conflating things. Fentanyl is a Schedule II controlled substance. So while yes, it’s “legal” - it’s an extremely controlled narcotic. Said differently, it’s illegal if you’re in position of it and it wasn’t prescribed by a medical doctor. Unlike marijuana that doesn’t need a prescription where it’s allowed.

Except marijuana does require a prescription in certain states.

Ah, interesting. I wasn’t aware of that.

Thanks for clarification.