Pubdate: Mon, 07 Aug 2006
Source: Patriot-News, The (PA)
Copyright: 2006 The Patriot-News
Contact:  http://www.patriot-news.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1630
Author: Carrie Cassidy
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin)

POLICE PROBE DEATH FROM LACED HEROIN

Lebanon police are investigating whether the death of a 44-year-old 
man last week is linked to a rash of deadly heroin overdoses in the 
midstate and across the country.

The man, who lived in the 200 block of North Eighth Street, Lebanon, 
died Wednesday of an overdose of heroin laced with the pain-killer 
fentanyl, police said. They did not release his name.

Lebanon police Sgt. Steven Bord said yesterday that investigators 
have found no direct evidence that the heroin-fentanyl mix present in 
last week's death was the same type involved in the more than 400 
deaths reported nationwide since April, but they are "checking into 
that angle."

Two other overdoses, which were not fatal, were recently reported in 
Lebanon, Bord said.

Since April, at least 20 overdoses from fentanyl-laced heroin have 
been reported in the midstate, including two deaths in northern 
Dauphin County and two in Harrisburg.

Fentanyl is a legally produced prescription pain-killer that is up to 
100 times stronger than morphine. It is commonly used to treat cancer 
patients, but authorities say the type of fentanyl being mixed with 
heroin is likely manufactured in clandestine labs.

Bord urged caution to those who use heroin.

Addicts "should be careful," Bord said. "It's a risky behavior to begin with."
- ---
MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman