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Live Webinar

Fentanyl Uncovered: How the Drug Supply Has Quietly Changed

Suman Rana, PhD
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Information

Date & Time

Description

Illicit fentanyl has transformed the drug landscape, but the substance itself is only part of the story. Over time, the composition of the fentanyl supply has shifted significantly, with the increasing presence of contaminants and co-occurring substances that alter both clinical presentation and risk.

This webinar examines how the fentanyl supply has evolved, from earlier heroin-adulterated markets to today’s complex mixtures that may include substances such as xylazine and other emerging agents. Participants will gain a clear understanding of how these changes impact toxicity, clinical management, and interpretation of drug testing results.

Educational Goal

The educational goal of this workshop is to provide participants with a clear, evidence-based understanding of how the illicit fentanyl supply has evolved, with emphasis on emerging contaminants and their impact on toxicity, clinical presentation, and care decisions.

Learning Objectives

Participants will be able to:

  • Identify key contaminants and co-occurring substances currently present in the illicit fentanyl supply and describe how their prevalence has changed over time.

  • Differentiate clinical presentations associated with fentanyl alone versus fentanyl combined with emerging contaminants (e.g., xylazine), and apply this knowledge to patient assessment.

  • Interpret drug testing results in the context of evolving fentanyl formulations, including limitations of standard testing and implications for clinical and program decision-making.

  • Integrate current knowledge of fentanyl-related co-exposures into risk assessment and adapt clinical or programmatic responses to improve patient outcomes.

Target Audience

  • Addiction Professional
  • Counselor
  • Marriage & Family Therapist
  • Psychologist
  • Social Worker

Presenters

Suman Rana, PhD
Dr. Suman Rana is the Founder and Chief Toxicologist of THINKTOX, providing consulting and advisory services to industry, government, and legal sectors. She serves on the Advisory Board of Impairment Science Inc. and Lynk Diagnostics. She is an advocate for evidence-based approaches to drug policy and workplace safety. She has over 25 years of exceptional technical and leadership experience in the field of toxicology. Her career encompasses roles as a seasoned researcher, scientific and operations director, showcasing a remarkable journey of innovation and impactful leadership at Fortune 100 companies, such as Abbott. Dr. Rana is a past president of the Society of Forensic Toxicologists (SOFT). She is an avid supporter of establishing industry standards for the field of toxicology and serves on the Consensus Body of the Academy Standards Board (ASB), where she helps elevate the field by contributing to critical review and revision of the toxicology consensus standards Dr. Rana's commitment to advancing the field of toxicology is evident from her volunteer work with several scientific organizations. She serves on the Alcohol, Drugs, and Impairment Division (ADID) of the National Safety Council (NSC). She is a member of the joint Oral Fluid Committee of SOFT and the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS). She has contributed to over 100 scientific abstracts, papers, and workshop lectures and serves on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Analytical Toxicology (JAT). Recognized internationally as a thought leader, she has been an invited speaker on numerous occasions and has facilitated technical workshops and training sessions. A Fellow with the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS), Dr. Rana is a member of the International Association of Chemical Testing (IACT) and the International Association of Forensic Toxicologists (TIAFT), where she serves as the Regional Representative for the United States.

Financially Sponsored By

  • Lynk Diagnostics