Drug cutting is when dealers mix an illegal drug with other substances, called cutting agents, to stretch their supply and increase profits. Common cutting agents range from harmless-looking fillers like baking soda or sugar to other drugs, including powerful opioids like fentanyl.
Because there’s no way to know what’s in a drug bought on the street, cut drugs are often more dangerous than people expect. A substance sold as cocaine or heroin may contain unknown amounts of other chemicals, and today, many street drugs are contaminated with fentanyl or the animal sedative xylazine. Even a single use can lead to an unexpected overdose.
Below, we explain what drug cutting is, the cutting agents most commonly used, and the health risks they carry, so you can better understand the dangers facing people with substance use disorders here in California’s Central Valley and beyond.
Prevalence of Drug Cutting
Addicts learn to expect the drugs they buy to be cut. Some sources say that 39 percent of cocaine contains less than 10 percent actual cocaine.
Profit is the motive for drug dealers to cut drugs. For instance, heroin in its pure form may be a white powder. Sometimes it appears clear or as a black substance. In any case, it is easy to add a filler that is not readily detectable. The dealer then sells the mixture as heroin, increasing profit. In recent years, some heroin addicts have been cutting the drug on their own with a powerful opioid called fentanyl to increase the effects.
Agents Used to Cut Drugs
Dealers don’t particularly care what they use to cut drugs. They simply choose something that is inexpensive and hard to detect. Cutting agents commonly used for heroin are talcum powder, starch, sugar, and baking soda. Caffeine is sometimes used as a cutting agent. Drug dealers also use common over-the-counter drugs as cutting agents. Examples include benzocaine, lidocaine, and even aspirin.
Health Risks of Cutting Drugs
There is no way a user can determine the percentage of purity of a drug. This makes the risk of an overdose more likely because the substance may be stronger than they realize.
As well, stimulants like caffeine may mask overdose symptoms. Substances like sugar or starch may not dissolve entirely. This creates a risk of blockages in the bloodstream. These blockages can cause heart disease, heart infections, and heart attacks. Blockages in the brain and liver damage are also dangers. Fentanyl is a central nervous system depressant and may cause slow breathing that can be fatal. The user might stop breathing entirely.
Making a Difference
This is all to remind us of something we already know: drug addiction is dangerous. If your loved one is currently addicted to substances, there are many reasons to take action.
But what can you do? If you want to make a difference, education is a good place to start. Learning about these kinds of issues is important. But it is crucial to be ready with a solution for someone in need.
Connect With First Steps in Fresno County
First Steps Recovery is part of the solution for California’s Central Valley. We specialize in making a difference in the life of every resident we see. Our evidence-based treatment approach has lasting results. If you need help getting free from a drug addiction or if you know someone in your community or family who needs help, please call us. We can offer guidance to give you hope and help you understand what your options are. Make a difference in your neighborhood and call us today to learn more.
