Fentanyl-adulterated cocaine drives overdose spike in Northeast US

Public health officials say contaminated cocaine is fueling a rise in fatal overdoses among people who do not use opioids.

Emergency departments and medical examiners across the Northeastern United States are reporting a sharp rise in cocaine-related overdoses linked to fentanyl contamination.

Health officials say the trend is especially dangerous because many people who use cocaine do not have opioid tolerance and are unaware their supply contains a potent synthetic opioid.

Harm-reduction groups are distributing more fentanyl test strips and naloxone, but outreach workers say those supplies are not reaching everyone at risk.

Researchers are calling for expanded drug checking services and real-time toxicology surveillance to track adulteration trends more quickly.