US Church on frontline of battle against drug known as 'tranq'
Religious organizations in the United States are increasingly involved in the frontlines of the opioid crisis, specifically addressing the rise of the synthetic drug 'tranq'. The report examines the shift in drug supply and the challenges recovery workers face in helping addicts.
Why it matters
The emergence of potent synthetic drugs like 'tranq' complicates addiction recovery efforts and shifts the landscape of the American drug epidemic.
US Church on frontline of battle against drug known as 'tranq' Close America has been fighting the War on Drugs for decades, but the drug cartels, the suppliers and the dealers appear to be always one step ahead of the authorities.
President Trump has declared the cartels, "terrorists" and labelled fentanyl, the powerful synthetic opioid, a "weapon of mass destruction".
But the drug supply is changing, with other deadly synthetics being added to the mix, including strong animal tranquillisers, known on the streets as "tranq".
While overdose deaths are falling, the potency of the new drugs has recovery workers worried. For some the answer might lie in reducing demand, giving users support and helping them end their addiction.
BBC international correspondent Quentin Sommerville and camera journalist Darren Conway travelled to Columbus, Ohio to find out more.
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