Powerful synthetic opioids, from long-used pain medications to a variety of novel substances, can have unpredictable and fatal effects. In April 2017, Milwaukee saw its first confirmed deaths involving carfentanil, a large animal tranquilizer. Users can unknowingly ingest these drugs when mixed with substances like heroin and fatally overdose.

On the May 12, 2017 edition of Wisconsin Public Television’s Here And Now, WisContext associate editor Scott Gordon discussed how toxicology labs like the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene are working to keep up with these unfamiliar opioids so law enforcement and health officials can better understand their impact and prevent their spread.