A LOOK AT A DRUG COCKTAIL PROBLEM AROUND THE COUNTRY

A look at problems reported around the country related to a mixture
of heroin and the powerful painkiller fentanyl that has been killing
unsuspecting users who believe they are taking pure heroin.

WAYNE COUNTY, MICH.:

- -The county that includes Detroit has the most fentanyl-linked
deaths. The drug was found in 63 people who died last year and 70
this year, through mid-April.

- -The county saw 27 fatal overdoses over six days ending Tuesday.
Fentanyl is suspected but not confirmed.

REST OF MICHIGAN:

- -State health officials say the problem appears to be limited to the
Detroit area.

- -Not all medical examiners in the state routinely screen for fentanyl
in drug deaths, so the problem may not be apparent.

PHILADELPHIA:

- -20 confirmed deaths from heroin mixed with fentanyl since April 17;
test results pending for another eight suspected cases. In the same
five-week period in 2005, there were seven drug-related deaths of any kind.

CHICAGO:

- -30 fentanyl-linked deaths from September 2005 to March 2006. Another
23 suspected cases in April and May.

NEW JERSEY:

- -Since April, about 10 confirmed fentanyl deaths; 10 to 20 suspected cases.

DELAWARE:

- -Five suspected drug deaths over two weeks beginning at the end of
April, awaiting test results.

Sources: Wayne County, Michigan Department of Community Health,
Philadelphia Health Department, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration,
New Jersey Poison Control Center, Delaware Department of Health and
Social Services.