3 Overdose Deaths In Less Than 10 Days In One Bucks Co. Town

Three people died of overdose in less than 10 days in one Bucks County town, causing authorities to issue a warning about fentanyl-laced heroin throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

Penndel Borough police said the three fatal overdoses were reported from between April 25 and May 4. There were two additional overdoses in Penndel; those victims were revived with Narcan.

The most recent fatal overdose in Penndel was reported May 4. Another fatal overdose happened two days before, on May 2. The first one occurred April 25.

In all three incidents, the victims were found deceased upon police arrival. The victim in the April 25 overdose was found at a residence on S. Bellevue Avenue. Police did not say where the other victims were located.

Police in Penndel say an investigation between neighboring jurisdictions has determined a large amount of narcotics has been found to be laced with fentanyl in the New Jersey and Pennsylvania area. Fentanyl is a "very powerful" narcotic that can cause a rapid overdose and possible death.

It is 50 times more potent than heroin, according to the DEA.

Fentanyl can be injected, snorted/sniffed, smoked, taken orally by pill or tablet, and spiked onto blotter paper, the DEA said. Fentanyl patches can be abused by removing its gel contents and then injecting or ingest.

According to information from Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick's office, more than 42,000 Americans died from an opioid overdose in 2016, and nearly half of those were directly attributed to fentanyl and other synthetic opioids.

Fitzpatrick, who authored the International Narcotics Trafficking Emergency Response by Detecting Incoming Contraband with Technology (INTERDICT) Act, says the primary source of fentanyl is outside of the United States, in Mexico or China. "The drug is smuggled in across the U.S. border or delivered via mail or express consignment couriers. Fentanyl can also be ordered online. Because of its potency, fentanyl typically comes in small amounts, making it more difficult for authorities to detect," he said in a statement when the INTERDICT Act was passed.

That law provides Customs and Border Protection access to the latest in chemical screening devices and scientific support to detect and intercept synthetic opioids before they can cause harm.

According to Project Know, mixing fentanyl with heroin amplifies the potency of both drugs. It can cause exaggerated drowsiness, nausea, confusion, sedation, unconsciousness, respiratory depression, and even death.

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