Fentanyl Crisis in Poland: The Opioid That Became the 'Zombie Drug'

Fentanyl is an opioid 50 times stronger than heroin. It was created to treat severe pain and serve as an anesthetic. However, in Poland, this powerful drug has become a deadly street drug, causing dozens of deaths and tearing apart communities. Towns like Żuromin, a small city in northern Poland, have become battlegrounds against this synthetic opioid epidemic. The crisis has exposed deep problems, including drug trafficking, corrupt officials, and a lack of resources for those struggling with addiction. This is the story of how fentanyl swept across Poland and the fight of doctors, educators, and survivors to reclaim lives.

The Deadly Power of Fentanyl

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid developed in the 1960s. Its power makes it extremely dangerous, even in tiny amounts. Just 2 milligrams of fentanyl can be deadly for a non-tolerant user.

The drug has been linked to severe addiction because it produces intense euphoria. Users often seek out fentanyl when their tolerance to other opiates, like heroin, becomes too high. Fentanyl brings back the strong feeling of happiness that other drugs no longer provide.

Fentanyl vs. Heroin

To understand the crisis, you must recognize fentanyl's strength. Fentanyl is considered the most powerful opioid that exists.

It is 50 times stronger than heroin. Because of this extreme potency, addiction develops fast. Withdrawal symptoms are severe, making it incredibly hard for users to quit without medical help. One survivor noted that withdrawal was so painful he could not even walk to the bathroom without clinging to the wall.

The Danger of Transdermal Patches

Fentanyl is often prescribed in hospitals as a patch. This patch, known as a transdermal patch, is supposed to be stuck to the skin for slow absorption. This controlled release makes it safe for pain management.

However, those who misuse the drug extract the substance from these patches. They often cut the patch open and inject the gel directly into the bloodstream. This method provides an instant, intense high, but the risk of overdose is immediate.

A doctor at a desintoxication center noted that if someone who had never taken opioids were to simply suck the gel from the patch, their life could be in danger within five minutes because their respiratory center might fail. This risk exists even with a tiny, almost invisible dose.

Żuromin: The Unofficial Fentanyl Capital

In 2024, Żuromin gained a grim reputation. It became known as the unofficial capital of the fentanyl crisis in Poland. This small city, home to about 14,000 people, was hit hard by unemployment and a lack of opportunities. This environment helped the drug trade flourish.

A Mother's Grief

Jadwiga Karpinska is one of the many parents in Żuromin who lost a child to this epidemic. Her son, Paweł, died from a fentanyl overdose at age 36.

Paweł had tried to escape drugs. He had moved to England with his fiancée, Mónica, and they were planning a life together. Mónica became pregnant, and Paweł had started building a new life.

He returned briefly to Żuromin for his grandmother's funeral. While there, he ran into a famous local drug dealer known as “The Ghost.” The dealer gave Paweł fentanyl. Paweł was later found dead in a basement.

Jadwiga described the immense loss. She said losing Paweł felt like losing her right hand. The pain of losing a child is something she said she would not wish on her worst enemy. Paweł’s death, like the deaths of many other young people, shocked the community.

The Role of Traffickers and Corrupt Officials

The question remained: How did large amounts of this controlled painkiller end up on the streets? Authorities suspected corrupt pharmacists sold the medication illegally to drug dealers. They also suspected some doctors were writing fake prescriptions.

The drug trade in Żuromin was often visible. Neighbors reported seeing dealers entering and leaving apartment buildings quickly.

Jadwiga Karpinska often saw the drug business happening right across the street from her balcony. She noted that the police presence has increased, but the drug trade continued, even if in smaller amounts.

Police Efforts and Ongoing Trade

In 2024, the police made a significant move to fight the crisis in Żuromin. They conducted a spectacular raid.

Key results of the police action included:

• The arrest of "The Ghost," the notorious dealer accused of selling the fatal dose to Paweł Karpinski.
• The seizure of 330 fentanyl patches.
• This seizure represented an estimated 4,700 doses of the drug.
• Five people were arrested, including The Ghost, who now faces up to 12 years in prison.

While the arrests brought hope, local authorities and community members know the problem is far from over. When one dealer is arrested, others quickly take their place. Some believe the police may have focused on high-profile dealers to calm the public outcry after the deaths in Żuromin made national headlines. They believe that The Ghost may have been turned into a public scapegoat for a much larger problem.

Former users suggest that while the illegal distribution through pharmacies has been slowed down, dealers now travel to major cities like Warsaw to bring back grams or patches for distribution.

Treatment and Recovery: Fighting Addiction in Święciec

Addiction treatment is crucial to combat the fentanyl crisis. In the small town of Święciec, south of Gdańsk, a psychiatric hospital runs a dedicated desintoxication center.

Dr. Sławomir Basicki, the chief doctor, leads the team. They focus on helping patients who were close to death because of fentanyl use.

The Methadone Program

The clinic relies heavily on methadone as the primary treatment for opioid addiction. Methadone is a medication that acts as a substitute for opioids. It helps reduce cravings and eases the painful withdrawal symptoms.

The goal of the program is to stabilize the patients. The first major success of methadone therapy is ensuring that patients stop abusing other dangerous substances like benzos, alcohol, or stimulants.

Methadone works as a blocker. Patients taking methadone know that even if they try to consume fentanyl, it will not produce the high they expect. This realization helps block the urge to relapse.

Michal’s Struggle and Hope

Michal, a 38-year-old patient, relies on the clinic. He lives in a small village where addicts face discrimination, so he prefers to remain anonymous. He travels to Święciec every two weeks to receive his methadone dose for the next 14 days.

Michal started using fentanyl about 10 years ago after his tolerance for other opioids grew too high. He felt the intense happiness and euphoria he craved returned with fentanyl.

However, the consequences were devastating. Michal witnessed the death of a close friend from a fentanyl overdose. This event spurred him to try quitting on his own, which resulted in a terrible experience. He described the pain and chaos of withdrawal as horrible and something he had never experienced before.

Michal is now clean from fentanyl. His treatment involves regular check-ups with Dr. Basicki. They monitor his physical and mental health. During one appointment, Michal mentioned struggles with sleep and intense stomach pain. The doctor considered increasing his methadone dose slightly to manage these persistent symptoms. Michal has been on the same dose for over a year and wants to keep moving toward full recovery.

How Methadone Helps

The methadone treatment provides stability and safety. It ensures patients do not constantly risk their lives buying illegal street drugs.

Even if patients cannot fully stop using methadone, they lead a much better life than they would while actively seeking illegal drugs. The goal for many is to gradually reduce their dose until they no longer need it.

Dr. Basicki and his team find great satisfaction in seeing former patients succeed. He shares that it is a great joy when a patient calls a year later to report they finished therapy, have their spouse returning, and their job is waiting for them.

Stories of Survival and the Path Forward

The crisis has claimed many lives, but some have managed to overcome their addiction and now strive to help others.

Artur’s New Purpose

Artur, from Łódź, struggled with fentanyl for 11 years. He was often depressed and suicidal, viewing drugs as an escape, only to find himself in a deeper hole. He was highly dependent on fentanyl and once felt he wanted to die.

He also successfully quit fentanyl using methadone therapy, a process that took him over two years. Artur is open about his past and his recovery. He believes that personal development is a key part of staying clean.

During his addiction, Artur had to leave his psychology studies. Once clean, he went back to school. He is now completing his fifth year of studies. Artur wants to use his knowledge and personal experience to help other addicts overcome fentanyl dependency.

He and his girlfriend, Agnieszka, support each other in staying sober. Artur recognizes that life, even clean life, is difficult, but he is determined to find a way forward.

Prevention Through Education

Adam Ejnik, a primary school teacher and former teacher of the deceased Paweł Karpinski, is fighting the crisis through prevention. He also works as a local journalist in Mława, near Żuromin, where he reports on the drug trade, addicts, and arrests.

Adam is deeply affected by the deaths in his community. He noted that so many young people are buried in the local cemetery that in 100 years, someone might think there was a war or an epidemic in the town.

He believes in educating his students to be confident people with goals and dreams. He teaches them that those who pursue clear goals are less likely to fall into drugs. Despite receiving threats, including threats to burn his car because of his reporting, Adam continues his work to inform the public and protect the children. He believes the problem will not end until the community addresses the lack of prospects in the town.

The Views of Former Users

Patrick, 36, is another former fentanyl user who has been clean for several years. He tried opioids in high school. When he saw people he knew dying from the drug, he decided to quit.

Patrick feels the crisis in Żuromin is not over. He believes the police ignored the problem for too long. He says that the community is small, and everyone knows each other, making the drug movement hard to hide.

Patrick believes the authorities need to go beyond just arresting high-profile dealers and address the root causes of the drug trade.

Staying Clean and Looking Forward

Only about 10% of all opioid addicts manage to fully quit drugs and eventually stop using methadone. People like Artur are part of that small group. For those who remain in treatment, methadone is a necessary tool to build a secure life away from the street trade.

Michal, who continues treatment, is motivated to fully recover. He dreams of meeting a partner and finding stable work, which he feels will provide stability and security for his future. He recognizes that addiction often results in losing loved ones, but he is determined to build a new life.

The fight against the fentanyl crisis in Poland requires comprehensive action. It needs effective policing to stop illegal distribution, accessible medical treatment like the methadone program, and dedicated prevention efforts in schools. By supporting those in recovery and tackling the sources of the drug, Poland can begin to heal its communities.