Fentanyl Deaths Rise in Minnesota

There Were 172 Synthetic Opioid Deaths in 2017

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – The number of people who died from the synthetic opioid fentanyl surged in 2017.

A preliminary report released Monday by the Minnesota Health Department says there were 172 deaths involving synthetic opioids in 2017.

A total of 156, or 91 percent, of those deaths listed fentanyl as a contributing factor.

The number of overall synthetic opioid deaths increased 74 percent from 2016.

Minnesota Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm says the dramatic increase shows there is a fentanyl public health crisis.

She says those addicted to opioids may be unknowingly exposing themselves to deadly risks.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid 50 times more powerful than heroin.

The dangers of the drug grabbed headlines in 2016 when Prince died after taking a counterfeit pill that was laced with it.