I was arrested after picking up my food from a McDonald’s drive-thru – the police charged me when they saw me pay
A MAN has been arrested after allegedly paying for his McDoanld’s order with a $10 bill covered in fentanyl.
The man was charged with assault, among other things, after handing a restaurant worker the bill to pay for his meal.
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Erric Stack, 42, of Oxford, Maine, visited a McDonald’s thoroughfare on Wednesday.
He reportedly fell asleep on the thoroughfare, then pulled up to the window and handed the worker a rolled-up $10 bill.
The clerk opened the bill and then a white powdery substance spilled out, covering her hands and the counter.
The active ingredient was later tested and identified as fentanyl, police said.
Stack got his order anyway and then left the restaurant.
The worker, who police say is pregnant, fell ill after the interaction.
According to authorities, she has been medically evaluated and has no lasting health concerns.
Police located Stack the same day as he went to the diner and then charged him with aggravated assault, reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon and illegal drug possession.
WHAT IS FENTANYL?
Fentanyl is known as a powerful synthetic opioid that is similar to morphine.
Although fentanyl is a prescription drug, it is often manufactured and used illegally.
Fentanyl is used to treat patients with severe or chronic pain and is typically given to people who are physically tolerant to other opioids.
Popular prescription forms of the drug include:
- Actiq
- Duragesian
- Sublimate
The drug is typically given as a syringe, patch, or lozenge.
WHY IS FENTANYL DANGEROUS?
Although fentanyl requires a prescription, it can be fatal if used improperly.
Synthetic opioids, including fentanyl, are considered the most common overdose-causing drugs in the United States.
The reason it is so dangerous is because of how it affects the brain.
Like heroin and other opioid drugs, fentanyl is known to bind to the body’s opioid receptors, and once addicted, users must consume increasing amounts to feel the high that leads to overdoses.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that fentanyl can cause:
- Extreme happiness
- sleepiness
- nausea
- confusion
- constipation
- sedation
- trouble breathing
- unconsciousness
With an overdose of the drug, breathing slows down or stops altogether.
Once this happens, there is reduced oxygen uptake, leading to hypoxia, which can result in a coma and permanent brain damage or even death.