BALTIMORE (AP) - Maryland’s medical examiner says there have been at least 37 deaths since September in the state from a batch of heroin that is tainted with fentanyl.
Dr. David Fowler said Friday that the 37 deaths represent about 12 percent of the 318 overdose deaths during that period.
Ten of the deaths occurred in Baltimore, but Fowler says the deaths appear to be widespread in the state and not limited to any specific area.
Fentanyl is a synthetic morphine substitute that is roughly 100 times more powerful than morphine. It resembles heroin, though it is much more potent, and it has been blamed for dozens of deaths around the U.S.
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