Fentanyl Overdoses Worry Pennsylvania Officials

NPR

Published August 2, 2013 at 1:40 PM EDT

So far this year, 50 people have died in Pennsylvania from fentanyl-related overdoses.

Fentanyl is a prescription drug — an opiate more powerful than morphine.

It is often used to treat cancer patients experiencing extreme pain. An illicit, non-prescription version of fentanyl led to hundreds of deaths in Pennsylvania in 2006.

From the Here & Now Contributors Network, Elana Gordon of WHYY reports that state health and drug enforcement officials are worried it’s on the rise again.

Reporter

Elana Gordon, health and science reporter for WHYY. She tweets@Elana_Gordon.

More from WGCU

Weather

Formation chances upgraded for one of two waves off Africa; third system forms, likely short-lived

WGCU Staff

The National Hurricane Center has upgraded the chances of formation for one of two tropical waves off the coast of Africa. And late Sunday a third system was added to the mix, although it formed off the eastern U.S. seaboard in the Western Subtropical Atlantic.
Health

Public health alert for various meat and poultry products containing recalled jalapeños

WGCU Staff

Products distributed across a number of states, including one product in Florida, could be contaminated with salmonella.
Health

City Foods, Inc. recalls ready-to-eat pastrami and corned beef products due to possible listeria contamination

WGCU Staff

City Foods of Chicago, Ill., is recalling approximately3,215 pounds of ready-to-eat pastrami and corned beef products that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service says.

Accessibility Note

Fentanyl Overdoses Worry Pennsylvania Officials

Reporter

Local News, Right Sized for Your Morning