The illicit trade is inconsistent in pharmacology making it much more lethal.
“The illicit trade is inconsistent in pharmacology making it much more lethal.”
Yes, but more people are killed by drugs obtained from their doctor and pharmacist than are killed by drugs obtained from a drug dealer.
The bottom line is that a junkie is a junkie and it makes no difference who his supplier happens to be.
For a real shudder, videos of the addicts in Russia/Ukraine show them cooking and shooting up a synthetic version they call "Krokodil", made all from over the counter chemicals.