MORE DEATHS BRING COUNTY TALLY TO 47

Three more people have died of suspected drug overdoses, Wayne County
officials reported Sunday, bringing the overdose death tally in the
county to 47 in less than two weeks.

The latest deaths occurred Saturday night or Sunday morning.

Teresa Blossom, a county spokeswoman, said Sunday that officials
won't know for certain whether they were caused by a mix of heroin or
cocaine and the painkiller fentanyl until toxicology reports are
completed. That process could take several weeks.

Fentanyl is typically prescribed for terminally ill patients with chronic pain.

Investigators say some drug users know fentanyl is mixed with heroin
or cocaine and purchase the mix for a stronger high, while other
buyers don't know they're getting the fentanyl mixture.

Wayne County officials have reported an average of more than four
deaths a day from apparent overdoses since May 17. Last year, there
were 1.25 per day, for a total of 457.

On May 18, after 12 people died in a 24-hour period, county health
officials first alerted the public to the fentanyl concoction.

Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano said Saturday that a federal
investigation points to Chicago or the East Coast as the source of the drugs.

The county has passed out more than 15,000 flyers warning about the
lethal mixture, hoping to curb sales.