Investigation of Fentanyl Usage in the Seattle Area

Fentanyl was developed in the 1960s as an alternative to morphine, but quickly became a drug of abuse due to its potency, inexpensiveness, and ease of synthesis. One source of exposure is mixing fentanyl into other drugs of abuse (e.g., heroin), but users also actively seek out this potent opioid. While monitoring for pain medication compliance and office-based opioid treatment, we noticed increasing fentanyl use. We sought to investigate this increase in the local population, and see if this reflected the regional health, morbidity, and mortality statistics.

This data review was determined not to involve "human subjects" as defined by federal regulations by the University of Washington (UW) Human Subjects Division (STUDY00014988). Local data were extracted from the laboratory information system and analyzed. Data from the King County Medical Examiner's Office derives from cases sent to the Washington State Toxicology Laboratory. The Addictions, Drug, and Alcohol Institute (ADAI) at the UW compiled data from the Washington State Department of Health, the Forensic Laboratory Services Bureau, Washington State Patrol, and the state Office of Financial Management.

We found a significant increase in fentanyl positivity in clinical LC-MS/MS assays, an increase in deaths due to fentanyl, and an increase in the fentanyl usage documented by the public health laboratory.

Clinical data from community toxicology testing performed at academic medical centers can reflect trends in society at large, and as such, there may be a compelling reason to publish and use these data to inform public health approaches.