A Utah company is altering the approach to combat the illegal opioid crisis

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minutesSALT LAKE CITY — The Drug Enforcement Administration has reported that more than 388 million deadly doses of fentanyl were confiscated in 2023 in the U.S. This raises the question: What happens to all those drugs? The drugs are disposed of, and the Utah-based company NarcX offers a safe and immediate drug disposal solution. With 30 years of experience with the Drug Enforcement Administration, David Schiller is well-versed in the opioid epidemic and fentanyl crisis. Schiller stated that around 300 people die from an opioid overdose in the United States every day. These opioids enter the country illegally from drug dealers and other countries, as well as from medicine cabinets. While drugs like Narcan can counteract the effects of an opioid overdose, Schiller noted that many illegal drugs are so potent that Narcan alone may not be enough. Drug take-back programs have provided people with a way to dispose of unused or unneeded drugs from their medicine cabinets at safe disposal sites. While these programs have been successful, Schiller pointed out a weakness. “You have to stockpile your medication inside your home for six months at a time,” he said. “While it’s being stockpiled with good intent, it’s being diverted. People are becoming addicted. And they’re dying.” This is where NarcX comes in. NarcX is a liquid solution that neutralizes drugs within moments. If ingested, the liquid will induce illness. This method allows for the safe and environmentally friendly on-site destruction of drugs, including fentanyl, and helps prevent overdoses by keeping the drugs off the streets. NarcX has gained popularity in Riverton, Payson, Provo, and soon in American Fork. “I would routinely have moms and dads and young adults say, ‘We’ve had this medication. We know the side effects and we don’t know what to do. We want to do the right thing,'” Schiller added. “So, it’s a legacy. It’s a game-changer,” Schiller said.
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Author: OpenAI