Maine Department of Health and Human Services

Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC)

(Formerly Bureau of Health)

11 State House Station
Augusta, Maine 04333-0011

Phone 1-800-821-5821 / Fax 207-287-7443

 

**ALERT – Important Information**

 

2006PHALT001

 

TO:                 Emergency Departments; Emergency Medical Services   

 

FROM:           Dora Anne Mills, M.D., M.P.H., Public Health Director           

 

SUBJECT:     Potent substance probably sold as heroin is causing overdoses - may be or may contain methyl fentanyl

 

DATE:            April 21, 2006            

 

TIME:            5:23 PM

 

PAGES:          2

 

PRIORITY:    High

 

 

Confidentiality Notice:  This fax message is intended for the exclusive use of the individual or entity identified above.  It may contain information, which is privileged and/or confidential under both state and federal law.  If you are not notified otherwise, any further dissemination, copying, or disclosure of the communication is strictly prohibited.  If you have received this   transmittal in error, please immediately notify us at 287-8478 and return the original transmission to us by mail at Key Bank Plaza, 6^th Floor-286 Water Street. Augusta, ME  04333, without making a copy.  Your cooperation in protecting confidential information is greatly appreciated.    

Potent substance probably sold as heroin is causing overdoses - may be or may contain methyl fentanyl

 

Background: Three states, New Jersey, Maryland and Illinois, are reporting an increase in opioid overdoses, supposedly heroin, requiring significant amounts of antidote.

 

1)      New Jersey reports an increase in opioid overdoses, supposedly heroin, requiring significant amounts of antidote from 4/19 – 4/20/06.  The area involved is Camden, across the river from Philadelphia.

a.       The New Jersey Poison Center is aware of 32 cases with 2 fatalities, so far.

b.      Larger than normal doses of naloxone may be necessary to treat these overdoses.

2)      Maryland reports a cluster of 6 patients with central nervous system depression, respiratory depression (respiratory rate of 2 – 4) and circumstantial evidence of intravenous drug use on 4/20/06.  The area involved is 100 – 120 miles from Camden, New Jersey.

a.       Most (5/6) responded to naloxone.

b.      One did not respond, then developed status epilepticus and suffered a cardiac arrest.

c.       A highly potent opioid is suspected, perhaps methyl fentanyl.

3)      Illinois (Chicago) reports an unusual outbreak of heroin overdoses.

a.       Chicago reports 25 overdoses including 1 fatality, in recent days. 

Officials suspect the “bad heroin” is laced with fentanyl.

 

Recommendations: Emergency Medical Technicians and Emergency Department health care providers should be aware of this issue and be prepared to assess potential cases of overdose.   The information is only preliminary and may change over time.  The identification of the substance(s) involved is not confirmed.  Please call for assistance and report any similar cases to Northern New England Poison Center 1-800-222-1222.

 

For More Information: Northern New England Poison Center 1-800-222-1222