Benzo Dope and Tranq: The Next Wave of the Overdose Crisis

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Published 2022-05-16
More than 100,000 Americans died of a drug overdose in 2021, the worst year on record. The newest wave of the overdose crisis involves man-made chemicals, including animal tranquilizers, that are being combined with fentanyl to make street drugs that are deadlier and more addictive.

With access to an undisguised fentanyl dealer, Beyond Fentanyl looks at how drugs like “benzo dope” and “tranq” are ravaging North American communities and how U.S. policy affected the latest flood of synthetic street drugs.


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All Comments (21)
  • @VICENews
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  • When I was addicted to fentanyl after getting prescribed fentanyl patches for an injury, no one even knew what it was. I would sweat the patches off early and would be dope-sick for a week every month. The withdrawal from fentanyl is something you can't imagine. I ended up going on the street to get something to avoid the nightmare of fentanyl cold-turkey. Finding fentanyl on the street was impossible at the time 2012-2015 so I would buy heroin or roxicodone or Dilaudid. Fentanyl is so strong that I would snort 150 mgs of roxicodone at once and just feel..ok. Not high, just stable. It would make the withdrawal subside. It's truly a nightmare existence. I kicked fentanyl cold turkey in my bed and it was every second of 2 1/2 weeks of Hell. I didn't know if I would survive and honestly, I didn't care. But I couldn't live that way. I laid there, weeping and begging God for mercy. My heart goes out to anyone suffering the slavery of opiate addiction. Fentanyl is a curse.
  • @ClappOnUpp
    Blackout dope is what we call it where I live in Ontario. It's put me in an ambulance at least 15 times. I threw my 20s away using drugs and only by the grace of God am I still here. For the past 2 years I've been fighting for my recovery, one day at a time. Tomorrow, I start college.. at 31 years old. I pray anyone affected by this disease finds the courage to change the things they can.
  • @hyperealisticglass
    I love how she mixes the drug with organic 0 calorie sweeteners for a more healthy approach
  • @WaismannMethod
    What we're witnessing, more than anything, is a mental health crisis that's being overlooked. The consequences are multifaceted, leading to increased homelessness, addiction, crime, and an immeasurable loss of life. We, as a society, can do more and for sure we can do much better.
  • @haunted5311
    I was heavily addicted to benzos, which are widely known to cause the worst side effects of any drugs. I know ex heroin addicts who said to me the benzo wirhdrawals are worse than heroin. Anyways, after my doctor cut me off cold turkey when he discovered that I was abusing the benzos, I went through what I believe hell is supposed to feel like. My addiction grew worse as I had to buy them from the streets, and from there, between ages 17 - 20 I barely have any memories of those times. When I was 20, one day I bought the wrong batch of "xanax" and I only ate 2. My parents find me unresponsive and call 911. The fire department was luckily half a mile a way, I die, and get brought back to life. After 3 days in the hospital, with the help of my parents, I tapered off that garbage once and for all. Now, I'm almost 5 years clean! Don't EVER touch that poison please.
  • @shadowfax9177
    I used to be a junkie when heroin was just heroin. Im so glad I got out when I did and pray for all these people to find their way out of this bondage and slavery.
  • @mirabelwatson7863
    Psilocybin saved my life. I was addicted to heroin for 15 years and after Psilocybin treatment I will be 3 years clean in November. I have zero cravings. This is something that truly needs to be more broadly used in addiction treatment.
  • @Zone15Media
    I used to snort heroin. Started as a teen. My life went down hill. Got clean when I was 37. It's been 18 years now. I am so grateful to be free. Watching this brought tears to my eyes.
  • @bf6159
    He pointed out the actual problem and it was brushed passed, which clearly demonstrates why the problem persists. We have an addiction problem, not a Fent, Benzo, or Tranq problem. Every few years the "problem" is simply a different flavor than before. Diminished education system, lack of opportunity, disenfranchisement, treated with callous indifference, no visible avenue which actually provides a way out, hopelessness. The drug will continually change, however, until the cause of the problem is functionally addressed, Addiction will continue to plague society, escalating as more join the ranks of the Lost, Forgotten, and Dismissed.
  • @littbitterst2328
    I lost my son to a methadone overdose on July 27 2018. 5 years later and I still grieve everyday. This video breaks my heart...
  • @00_sn
    hearing carrie’s dad speak breaks my heart. he’s such a good dad. i hope his kids including carrie can overcome addiction. a girl that used to be friends with my brother in the 5th grade started using and died not even a year later from a fent overdose. drugs are awful and so scary.
  • @toykanimo
    "They can try and justify that they're selling a better dope, a cleaner dope. Death is still death." this hit me so freaking hard.
  • @harryfarmer3847
    Absolutely terrifying. After being homeless and a two time survivor of Endocarditis due to intravenous drug use over the course of twelve years, I totally understand what alot of these people are going through. Living on the streets, shooting everything up, absesses all the time. Been clean off of all hard drugs and needles for three years now. I pray everyday for everyone dealing with this horrible disease. I have lost so many friends, more than anyone should. These videos are great, because they help get this real truth out to some people who may not know or understand. Keep them coming. Thank you. Prayers for everyone effected by this disease 🙏
  • @Reggie-The-Dog
    I have six years clean of both opiates and benzos. I tried quitting so many times but the last time stuck. I quit both cold turkey. Let me tell you, no WARN you, away from benzos. Opiate cold turkey is hell. Benzo cold turkey, if it doesn't kill you, is something beyond hell and it takes a long, long time. I didn't feel right for well over a YEAR. I was praying for opiate withdrawal while getting off the benzos. It made opiate withdrawal seem downright pleasant. PLEASE stay away from benzos! I lost a lot to them.
  • People nod out and then when someone says the word narcan they wake up instantly lol
  • Admitting to selling fentanyl on camera with no type of identity cover is insane
  • RIP Gordo. I'm a recovering addict who had over 15 years clean, relapsed and was out there again for 10 years, and have now been off of drugs since 2013. It's not easy, it's an every day battle! Without going into a whole lot of detail, I am so grateful that I got off of drugs in time to be there for my elderly mother when she got sick and she could trust me to handle her finances and also her medication. That was a real gift from God!
  • @Jennifer-bw7ku
    Psychedelics are just an exceptional mental health breakthrough. It's quite fascinating how effective they are against depression and anxiety. Saved my life.