B2 – Upper Intermediate
Fentanyl and Xylazine mixture is by far the deadliest drug threat in the USA. It is commonly known as the “zombie drug” because of its mental and physical manifestation on its users. There is an alarming rise in deaths linked to this drug mixture.
In Spain, however, this doesn’t seem to be a problem despite ranking fourth as the country with the most fentanyl consumption within the OECD.
Let’s read the article and know more as to why Spain doesn’t suffer the same fate as the USA.
https://www.thelocal.es/20230810/why-does-spain-not-have-a-fentanyl-problem
Vocabulary Questions:
- What does the adjective “potent” mean in this context? “… it’s 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine.” Use it in a sentence and give two synonyms.
- Define the verb “dispense“. “These reports are sent to an administrative body, which then controls how much it dispenses.” Use it in your own sentence.
- What does “fill the gap” mean? “Europe’s heroin market may soon be in short supply, however, making way for drugs like fentanyl to fill the gap.” Use it in a sentence.
Discussion Questions:
- What kind of drug is Fentanyl and how is it compared with heroin and morphine?
- What are the reasons why Spain doesn’t have a widespread Fentanyl abuse?
- According to the article, what is the medication dispensing process for pharmacies in Spain?
2 replies on “Spain Does Not Have a Fentanyl Problem”
Vocabulary Questions:
1. What does the adjective “potent” mean in this context? “… it’s 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine.” Use it in a sentence and give two synonyms.
It’s means very powerful, or effective.
P.e.: New training methods that combine lifting weights and aerobic exercises are more potent than the classical training methods.
Synonyms: powerful, stronger, effective, etc.
2. Define the verb “dispense“. “These reports are sent to an administrative body, which then controls how much it dispenses.” Use it in your own sentence.
Dispense, means to give something to someone, to supply, etc.
The Government are going to supply the new covid vaccines to the most needed people for free.
3. What does “fill the gap” mean? “Europe’s heroin market may soon be in short supply, however, making way for drugs like fentanyl to fill the gap.” Use it in a sentence.
Fill the gap in this context, means to solve a problem create by a lack of supply, to find other ways to solve this out.
We are run out of national microchips, in order to fill the gap, we are going to contact with international suppliers.
Discussion Questions:
1. What kind of drug is Fentanyl and how is it compared with heroin and morphine?
It’s a deadly drug, very powerful drug in fact: 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine.
2. What are the reasons why Spain doesn’t have a widespread Fentanyl abuse?
It is all about a strict control for the Spanish Administration. They control and record every step from supplier to the pharmacies and finally to the patients. Also, the format of the prescribed drug is very important to avoid trafficking with the substance and the abuse of it (mostly controlled-release transdermal patches)
3. According to the article, what is the medication dispensing process for pharmacies in Spain?
It a very well controlled process where everything must be recorded, also is crucial the control of the stock of this drug in pharmacies in order to avoid the thefts an later trafficking of this substances.
The amount of efforts you put into practicing your writing is admirable. Keep it going!
Here is a sentence you can still improve a bit:
Always enjoy writing.