At least 19 people have been reported dead in Pittsburgh due to the consumption of an alleged 'bad batch' of heroin, ABC News reports.
Public health officials are raising alarms in Pittsburgh after a 'bad batch' of heroin likely led to four deaths in just 24 hours and 15 others over the last five days. Allegheny County Medical Examiner Karl Williams said the investigation they are having is still in its early stages but as of late, 15 have already been suspected for heroin overdose in the last five days.
"This is a major increase in drug overdoses." Williams confirmed that some of the bags of the drugs were found at the scene and were labeled with "Theraflu". In some of the bags they tested, Williams and his team found traces of fentanyl - a powerful narcotic that is used for chronic pain relief and at times for anesthesia. "It's very strong. It can be ten to 100 times as strong as morphine." Although fentanyl can be a legally prescribed drug, Williams confirmed that those he found should have been manufactured illegally.
"The fentanyl we're seeing as a powder has to be made by somebody. Somebody is making this somewhere in a clandestine laboratory." In the past, there have already been some cases of dangerous heroin batches which were called "China Whites", where the heroin was laced with a certain kind of fentanyl. "Those who are in possession of this potent formula are in danger of losing their lives," said Mayor William Peduto. "It will kill you. The danger cannot be overstated," he added.
