One of the most startling signs of the fentanyl crisis in California is the sight of seemingly zombified drug users bent over in awkward positions, often referred to as “the fentanyl fold” or “the fentanyl bend over.” These images and videos have spread across social media, showing individuals frozen in place on sidewalks or parks. According to Dr. Daniel Ciccarone, a professor of addiction medicine at UCSF, this phenomenon is due to a degree of loss of consciousness and muscular control, which can occur within minutes after taking fentanyl.

The duration of the “fentanyl fold” varies, with some individuals regaining upright posture within 45 minutes to an hour, while others may take longer. This effect is not exclusive to fentanyl; other opioids can cause similar reactions. The California Department of Health reports nearly 6,000 opioid-related overdose deaths in the state in 2022, with nationwide figures reaching over 84,000. Signs of a fentanyl overdose include unconsciousness, slow or no breathing, limp body, and discoloured skin. Health officials recommend carrying Naloxone, a nasal spray that can reverse opioid overdoses, available without a prescription.

Source: Desert Sun