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There’s A Spike In Cook County Deaths From Pain Killers

By Kate Shepherd in News on Dec 21, 2015 10:52PM

Accidental deaths related to fentanyl, a powerful opiate which is frequently combined with heroin, are on the rise in Cook County, according to the Sun-Times.

Toxicology testing by the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office shows that the dangerous drug was a factor in three July deaths, four August deaths and a staggering 17 September deaths. In seven of the September deaths, heroin was detected along with fentanyl.

So far this year, fentanyl has played a role in 40 accidental deaths. Toxicology tests are still pending for October deaths and some cases in September haven't been closed yet.

Fentanyl is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine and is frequently used to treat cancer patients, according to the medical examiner's office.

This rise in fentanyl-related deaths coincides with a spike in heroin overdoses this fall, during which 74 overdoses occurring in just 72 hours.