The Rise of 'Poor Man's Cocaine' in the U.S.: A Looming Drug Crisis?

As the opioid crisis shows signs of slowing down, experts warn of a potential new wave of an emerging stimulant crisis in the US. Overdoses involving both stimulants and fentanyl have increased dramatically in recent years, indicating a shift in substance abuse patterns. Methamphetamine and cocaine are the primary stimulant drugs of concern, with methamphetamine-related overdose deaths nearly tripling from 2015 to 2019. Synthetic drugs, created in labs to mimic the effects of naturally occurring drugs, pose a significant threat. Counterfeit drugs like Captagon, known as "poor man's cocaine," are already popular in the Middle East and could potentially gain traction in the US. To address this looming crisis, improved data collection, monitoring, and collaboration across public health and law enforcement organizations are crucial.