Fentanyl, Inc. by award-winning journalist Ben Westhoff is a harrowing and eye-opening exposé on the synthetic drug epidemic that is sweeping the globe. With meticulous research and daring undercover operations, Westhoff dives deep into the clandestine and perilous world of novel psychoactive substances (NPS). These substances, ranging from 'legal highs' like Spice to lethal synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, are reshaping the recreational drug landscape in dangerous and unpredictable ways. NPS are designed in laboratories to replicate the effects of established drugs like cocaine, ecstasy, marijuana, and heroin. They are cheap to produce and easy to transport, making them immensely attractive to traffickers. Yet their potency can be extraordinarily high, leading to fatal overdoses even with minuscule amounts. Initially created for medical purposes, these chemicals have been modified by rogue chemists who continually tweak their molecular structures to stay ahead of legal restrictions. This tactical cat-and-mouse game has sparked the largest drug crisis ever seen in the United States, a crisis that is now echoing worldwide. In Fentanyl, Inc., Westhoff goes undercover, becoming the first journalist to infiltrate a Chinese fentanyl lab. His journey is both captivating and chilling as he tracks down the drug mogul in New Zealand who unwittingly initiated the synthetic drug revolution. He manoeuvres through the streets of St. Louis with a former fentanyl dealer to gauge the initial sparks of the epidemic and provides an engrossing narrative filled with the lives of addicts, dealers, bereaved families, law enforcement officers, and underground drug-awareness activists in both the US and Europe. This book is a crucial read for anyone seeking to understand a burgeoning global catastrophe. Acclaim for Fentanyl, Inc. abounds. James Fallows, award-winning journalist and author of China Airborne, lauds the book: "This is an exceptionally useful and well-timed book. I hope anyone concerned about this era's new addiction epidemic will read it and put its messages to use. Ben Westhoff very skilfully combines pharmacology, politics, law enforcement, and gripping international intrigue in his account of America's number-one public health problem. I hope Fentanyl, Inc. is widely read and influential." Kirkus Reviews offers high praise in its starred review: "Drawing material from official reports, drug databases, scores of interviews, and years of personal research, Westhoff presents an unflinching, illuminating portrait of a festering crisis involving a drug industry that thrives as effectively as it kills. Highly sobering, exemplary reportage delivered through richly detailed scenarios and diversified perspectives." Katherine Tobin, PhD, Former Member of the U.S.-China Economic & Security Review Commission, underscores the importance of Westhoff's work: "Through his courageous reporting, Ben Westhoff takes us to the heart of the problem. In Fentanyl, Inc., he shines a light on the human wreckage and damage caused by the most powerful and dangerous of the opioids, fentanyl, and its derivatives. He shows us how addiction, mislabeling, purposefully or mistakenly mixed drugs lead to tragic ends. The drug is often created out of factories operating with the permission of the Chinese government. To solve this epidemic, we must understand it. Make no mistake; the fentanyl problem is a global issue. Fentanyl, Inc. is a must-read, pulling the curtain back and showing us how this human tragedy occurs and how insidious and addictive a drug can be." Fentanyl, Inc. is an indispensable book that sheds light on the complexities of the synthetic drug crisis. It confronts a daunting public health emergency with rigorous investigation and heartfelt human stories, making it a pivotal read of our time.
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