NORTH CAROLINA, United States - March 2016.The North Carolina Health and Human Services has issued an official public warning regarding synthetic opioids following 19 deaths that occurred between January 1st and March 24th 2016 in the state of North Carolina.

The toxicology laboratory identified acetyl fentanyl (health alert in February 2014) and the chemically similar furanylfentanyl (FU-F), as well as two other chemically similar drugs that have been associated with the recent fatalities. Within the last six months toxicologists have also detected U-47700, which is a strong opioid receptor agonist and multiple times more potent than morphine, along with six other substances in connection with deaths in North Carolina. Reports suggest that these drugs are sometimes substituted for and sold on the street as heroin. People who knowingly or unknowingly use these drugs are at serious risk of death.

For further information please see:
http://www.ncdhhs.gov/news/press-releases/19-recent-deaths-associated-synthetic-opioids-state-officials-urge-awareness