RASH OF DRUG OVERDOSES CONCERNING IN FRANKLIN COUNTY

WASHINGTON, Mo. - Franklin County officials are trying to track down
the source of drugs linked to at least 15 overdoses, including one
that was fatal. And they believe the painkiller fentanyl - or heroin
laced with fentanyl - may be at the root of the problem.

A 41-year-old Labadie man died May 31 from a drug overdose. He was a
known heroin user, Frankling County detective Jason Grellner said.
Other victims have experienced serious medical complications.

Most of the overdoses have occurred in and around Washington, Villa
Ridge, Labadie and Pacific, Grellner said.

In some cases, heroin may be laced with fentanyl, or persons may be
buying pure fentanyl thinking it is heroin, Grellner said. Fentanyl
also may be mixed with other drugs like cocaine.

"As with all illegal narcotics, people have no idea what they're
buying," Grellner said. "When you buy drugs off the street, you're
taking your life in your own hands."

County authorities are working with the Drug Enforcement
Administration to trace the source of the drug.

"We believe it's been coming out of the St. Louis metro area,"
Grellner said, noting that more than 100 overdoses there have been
linked to Fentanyl. Franklin County is about 50 miles southwest of St. Louis.

Heroin laced with fentanyl is blamed for more than 400 deaths nationwide.

Fentanyl is an opiate used legally in anesthesia and for some cancer
patients. The legally produced prescription painkiller is 80 times
stronger than morphine.

But law enforcement officials say the type of fentanyl currently
being mixed with heroin is most likely manufactured in illicit labs.
It is cheaper than heroin, making it an appealing additive for heroin
distributors.