A rash of heroin overdoses in the Northeast throughout the last few months has prompted officials to take a closer look at the deaths of overdose victims. In nearly all cases, Fentanyl laced heroin was found to be present. Fentanyl is a potent painkiller that is typically prescribed for cancer patients as a last resort. The laced heroin has been marketed on the street under names liked “bud ice” and “theraflu” and is highly sought by drug users due to the rumored potency, despite risks. The laced heroin is being sold at a much lower price than heroin in other forms, making it more accessible to a wider variety of people.
Deaths by Overdose
Most recently, Pennsylvania has had about 22 deaths in the last two weeks from the Fentanyl laced heroin. This is about four times higher than the usual rate of overdose deaths for the amount of time. Due to the potency, regular heroin users overdose while using less than with unlaced versions of the drug. In previous months other states have experienced rashes of heroin deaths, much like Pennsylvania is now. Fentanyl laced heroin was found in 13 overdose deaths in Rhode Island in January. 37 heroin overdose deaths in Maryland, about 40 in Connecticut, and many more in New Jersey, New York, and Vermont since November have yet to be connected to the Fentanyl laced heroin.
The deaths come with heroin usage at a peak in the Northeast. While heroin is often thought to be a drug sought by the homeless and impoverished, it is increasingly becoming a drug used by the middle class and the rich. With the death of Philip Seymour Hoffman, the epidemic is being brought out of the shadows.