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Fentanyl’s death toll is rising

Opioid’s ability to freeze chest muscles within minutes may be to blame for some overdoses

fentanyl

FATAL ATTRACTION  The ability of fentanyl, an opioid, to freeze chest muscles within minutes may be to blame for some overdoses, a new autopsy study shows.

© Julia Hiebaum/Alamy Stock Photo

By Laura Sanders

For some people, fentanyl can be a life-saver, easing profound pain. But outside of a doctor’s office, the powerful opioid drug is also a covert killer.

In the last several years, clandestine drugmakers have begun experimenting with this ingredient, baking it into drugs sold on the streets, most notably heroin.