DETROIT — Several overdoses and at least one death in Michigan have been linked to “purple heroin,” the state’s poison center confirmed Wednesday in a public health warning.
The Michigan Poison Center, affiliated with Wayne State University, said in a news release that the overdose cases occurred in the Upper Peninsula, and the one known overdose-related death was recorded in Van Buren County.
According to MLive, samples sent to the Michigan State Police laboratory for testing have identified several components of the illegal narcotic, including fentanyl, niacinamide, acetaminophen, flualprazolam, buspirone and brorphine.
In its warning, the center characterized brorphine, a recreational drug considered by users to be an alternative to fentanyl, as a new synthetic opioid “of deep concern.”
The center also noted it remains unknown if the “purple heroin” is colored before or after it enters Michigan, so the “significance of the color is unknown.”
“The availability of brorphine combined with other potent opioids, like heroin and fentanyl, pose an imminent hazard to public safety, further fueling and complicating the existing opioid epidemic” the center stated in its news release.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is encouraging public health workers nationwide to look for signs and symptoms related to “purple heroin” use.
Cox Media Group
