It began with a statistic—one so startling that it forced us to pause, look closer, and ask difficult questions. In Bermuda, the landscape of drug use has changed drastically, and far more quickly than many realized. Once, heroin was the anchor of opioid addiction. Now, according to individuals deep within the market itself, “you can’t even give it away.”
Heroin users are no longer using heroin.
Today, fentanyl aka fetty—potent, unpredictable, and often fatal—is the drug of choice.
Through our investigation, we learned that the euphoria fentanyl creates is unlike anything that traditional opioids such as heroin can produce. Users describe it as quicker, stronger, and far more consuming. And despite the well-known, life-threatening risks—despite the fact that a single hit can be enough to trigger a fatal overdose—this is the substance many are now chasing.
The shift is so absolute that even long-time heroin users are walking away from heroin entirely. Dealers themselves revealed that fentanyl has overtaken the market with alarming speed. One dealer said plainly: “Nobody wants heroin anymore.”
But fentanyl is not the only substance driving concern on the island.
Our investigation also uncovered a surge in the use of MDMA, commonly known as molly, particularly among young adults seeking stimulation, escape, or emotional release. And in the world of marijuana, a particular high-potency strain—often referred to locally as “loud”—has become the preferred choice. One more highly potent substance is Shatter, that is a cannabis concentrate that can be distributed in a pace or glass-like form. These substances are weaving themselves into social circles, nightlife, and even everyday life in ways many parents and partners may not even notice.
Bermuda is facing a high number of fentanyl overdoses in the community as well as in the prison population, the question that goes unanswered is how many deaths are being recorded as fentanyl related deaths, TNN News understands from reliable sources within the last two weeks, two fentanyl related deaths has occurred, we await confirmation from the authorities.
That is why awareness is no longer optional—it is essential.
Parents need to understand the warning signs of substance abuse. Families must learn how to recognize when their teenagers, young adults, or even partners may be struggling silently with drug use. Behavioral shifts, secrecy, sudden changes in mood, unfamiliar smells, paraphernalia, or erratic sleep patterns can all be quiet signals of a deeper problem.
Next week, in Part Two of this ongoing investigation, we will speak directly with clinical professionals at Bermuda’s addiction services. Their perspective will help us understand not only the numbers, but the human reality behind them—the lives affected, the trends they are witnessing, and the dangers that come with this new era of drug use.
This story is not just about substances. It is about families, communities, and the urgent need for education and intervention.
Stay tuned for Part Two.
For more information, visit www.fentanyl.com.
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