DuPage Coroner Warns Of New Street Drugs In County

DUPAGE COUNTY, IL — The DuPage County Coroner's Office Thursday issued a public service announcement after investigating 15 deaths related to new street drugs in the county.

A total of 11 deaths have been linked to flualprazolam. This benzodiazepine derivitative was developed in 1976, but was not approved by the FDA. Flualprazolam has sedative and anxiolytic effects, according to the DuPage County Coroner's Office.

Another four deaths have been linked to a drug called isotonitazene or "iso." The DuPage County Coroner's Office says this synthetic opioid analgesic is estimated to be 1000 times stronger than morphine.

Isotonitazene is a white or off-white powder that is often pressed into counterfeit opioid pills. The counterfeit pills may resemble an oxycodone or 8mg dilaudid (hydromorphone) tablet and may have an M or an 8 stamped on one side.

DuPage County Coroner Richard Jorgensen said multiple doses of Narcan may be required to reverse an isotonitazene overdose.

Jorgensen cautioned that these drugs are very dangerous and residents should exercise caution.