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Contact: Carolyn Marinan, Communications, 612-348-5969
A powerful new opioid, carfentanil, has already caused at
least five overdose-related deaths in Minnesota this year.
Officials from across the state gathered to discuss the
public safety risk the synthetic drug poses. The substance, used as a
tranquilizer for elephants and other large animals, is 10,000 times more potent
than morphine and 100 times more potent than fentanyl.
In addition to the five deaths, it is possible there could
be more deaths related to carfentanil.
“We have at least four to five additional fatal cases in
which we suspect the possibility of carfentanil, but the confirmatory testing
is still pending,” Hennepin County Chief Medical Examiner Andrew Baker said.
Currently, routine drug and alcohol screens do not detect the
drug, so samples needed to be sent to a specialized lab for testing. Tests
confirmed that the drug caused three deaths in Minneapolis, one in Dakota
County and one in Rice County.
Drug cause for concern across state
“A 900-kilogram elephant can be immobilized by just two milligrams
of carfentanil. This drug is ultra-potent,” Jon Cole of Hennepin County Medical
Center and the Minnesota Poison Control System said.
The drug is not only a threat to the Twin Cities, but is a
statewide threat.
“The use of opioids like carfentanil is a health crisis for
Minnesota. It is a law enforcement crisis and it is a crisis for all
Minnesotans. We need to work together to address the crisis with information,
education and enforcement,” Drew Evans of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
said.
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension has investigated
11 different cases involving carfentanil during the past six months.
The emergence of this new drug is cause for concern, with
opioid-related deaths continuing to rise in Minnesota. Its relative strength
could cause a larger increase in overdoses, even among drug users who have
built a tolerance to opioids.
Agencies working together to raise awareness
“We’ve had three of the confirmed deaths in Minneapolis. One of
our homicide detectives is assigned to all three cases. He is going to be
collaborating with Faribault and Apple Valley to deep dive on any information
they have,” Bruce Folkens of the Minneapolis Police Department said.
Carfentanil can also harm first responders and law
enforcement exposed to the drug. The substance can come in several forms,
including powder, blotter paper, tablets, patch and
spray. Some forms can be absorbed through the skin or accidentally inhaled.
“This is not something that’s
just affecting the inner city. It’s everywhere throughout state of Minnesota.
We also want to offer assurance that we’ll all be collaborating on this threat,” Apple Valley Police Chief Jon Rechtzigel said.
Baker said that, while there have been reports of clusters
of carfentanil-related deaths in the U.S., these five deaths represent the first
confirmed cases in Minnesota.
“The Medical Examiner’s Office felt it important not just to
inform the public of this new hazard, but to ensure that our colleagues on the
front lines of saving lives were aware that carfentanil has now been confirmed
to be in Minnesota,” Baker said.
More information
Read more about carfentanil.
People who have questions about carfentanil can call the
Minnesota Poison Control System at 1-800-222-1222. The system is available 24
hours a day, seven days a week.
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