Theraflu
Law enforcement officers are looking for the source of a deadly form of heroin.
It's laced with fentanyl – a very powerful painkiller.
It's stamped "Theraflu" – or "Bud Ice" – although the name may change.
Tests confirm it's linked to more than a dozen deaths from drug overdoses here – maybe more.
It's not the first incident of tainted street drugs here –
But there is added urgency because so many people are at risk.
Heroin use is growing – in part because more people are abusing prescription painkillers.
Too many doctors were writing those scrips for anyone –
From kids to senior citizens –
For just about anything.
People get hooked – often without realizing it.
When the prescriptions runs out and can't be refilled –
And they can't afford to buy the drugs on the street –
Many turn to heroin because it's cheaper and easier to find.
Prescription drug abuse – and heroin use – are serious problems that need to be solved.
But the immediate need is to get the tainted heroin off our streets –
And to eliminate the source.
Hopefully investigators are close to doing just that.