Pubdate: Mon, 05 Jun 2006
Source: Detroit Free Press (MI)
Copyright: 2006 Detroit Free Press
Contact:  http://www.freep.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/125
Author: Gina Damron, Free Press Staff Writer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin)

DETROIT 6 MORE DIE FROM LIKELY OVERDOSES

Unknown Yet If Fentanyl Involved

Six people died from probable drug overdoses between Friday and 
Sunday morning, bringing the total number of likely drug-related 
deaths to 54 since May 18, Wayne County health officials said Sunday.

But it will take weeks to determine whether the recent deaths were 
related to a dangerous mix of the painkiller fentanyl and heroin or 
cocaine, said Teresa Blossom, a Wayne County Health Department spokeswoman.

She said that between January and April there were more than 70 
deaths caused by the concoction. But toxicology results on 
drug-related deaths in May and June are pending.

The county issued a warning May 19 because 12 people died in a 
24-hour span, likely from the deadly mix.

Blossom said there are two or three drug-related deaths in the county 
on any given day.

Officials at the Wayne County Medical Examiner's Office could not be 
reached for comment Sunday.

John Roach, a spokesman for the Wayne County Sheriff's Office, said 
the department has received several tips about the local source of 
the drugs but wouldn't release information about the investigation.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman