FRANKLIN
In light of recent overdoses in the area, the Franklin Police Department is making an effort to warn the public about the dangers of the use of drugs, such as heroin.

According the Capt. Tim Whitt with the FPD, the police have responded to three incidents involving people who have overdosed on heroin. He said the heroin in these cases has been found to contain significant amounts of Fentanyl, a dangerous pain medication.

“Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is estimated to have 50 times the potency as pure, pharmacy grade heroin and about 100 times the potency of morphine,” Whitt said. “We want to warn people about the dangers associated with use of this dangerous drug, as it could result in death.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that in most cases Fentanyl is prescribed in the form of transdermal patches or lozenges and can be diverted for misuse and abuse in the United States.

“Most recent cases of fentanyl-related harm, overdose and death in the U.S. are linked to illegally made fentanyl,” the CDC continued. “It is sold through illegal drug markets for its heroin-like effect. It is often mixed with heroin and/or cocaine as a combination product—with or without the user’s knowledge — to increase its euphoric effects.”

Illegally-made fentanyl has increased in the past several years, as much as seven times from 2012 to 2014. Anyone looking for more information on the dangers of this drug or measures that can be taken to prevent overdoses should visit http://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/opioids/fentanyl.html.