DEA Phoenix reported that there were three deaths cause by opioid overdose. The three deaths were in Maricopa County caused by a very strong opioid that can kill even touched by someone. The deaths happened between April and August of last year.
The three fatalities included a 55 year old who complained of a back pain in Phoenix. He was found dead in his bedroom. The other one was a 25 year old Mesa man with a history of drug use. The third one was a 24 year old Pheonix man with a history of drug use. He had also overdosed before, but this time he did not survive.
Special agent in charge of DEA in Arizona, Doug Coleman said, that the discovery of the U-47700 in Maricopa County is a great concern for DEA, law enforcement and the community as the threat of opioid abuse continues to evolve. He added that the DEA Phoenix will target those dealers that are supplying this lethal substances to the overdose victims.
According to the KTAR, the term "pink" is used for this powerful opioid that had killed thousands of people. This "pink" is sold online and is 10 times more powerful that heroin. A person could die after an intake of one ounce of this substance. This was originally developed as a morphine alternative but it was never approved for medical use.
According to the 12 News, Special Agent In Charge Douglas Coleman of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration says, there have been dozens of deaths across the country attributed to the drugs but none was previously known to have occurred in Arizona before three in 2016.
He added that the information about the deaths surfaced at a meeting with the Maricopa County Medical Examiner's Office. DEA Phoenix targeting the dealers could be a way to prevent more casualties caused by opioid overdoses. Authorities are doing their best to prevent any more additional fatality after the three deaths in Phoenix area.
