JP coroner warns of dangerous new drug as strong as fentanyl called 'purple heroin'
Updated: 12:47 PM CDT Oct 22, 2020
JP coroner warns of dangerous new drug as strong as fentanyl called 'purple heroin'
Updated: 12:47 PM CDT Oct 22, 2020
THIS IS WDSU NEWS AT NOON. CHRISTINA: THANKS FOR JOINING US TODAY AT NOON. I’M CHRISTINA WATKINS. RIGHT NOW, THE JEFFERSON PARISH CORONER’S OFFICE CONFIRMS ONE PERSON DIED FROM A NEW STREET DRUG THAT HE SAYS IS JUST AS POWERFUL AS FENTANYL. WDSU’S SHERMAN DESSELLE IS LIVE FR JP. SHERMAN, WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT THIS DRUG? SHERMAN: GOOD AFTERNOON. THE DRUG IS CALLED BRORPHINE, OR WHAT THEY REFER TO IT AS PURPLE HEROIN. OFFICIALS SAY A JEFFERSON PARISH RESIDENT HAS DIED FROM IT. ACCORDING TO DR. CVITANOVICH, THERE HAVE BEEN 30 DEATHS LINKED TO THE DRUG IN THE UNITED STATES SO FAR. THIS IS THE FIRST DEATH LINKED TO BRORPHINE IN LOUISIANA, THAT IS ACCORDING TO HIM. THE DRUG IS COMMONLY PACKAGED AS PURPLE CRYSTAL OR POWDER, BUT HAS ALSO BEEN REPORTED AS WHITE OR GRAY POWDER. THE CORONER SAYS THIS DRUG HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE SOME WIDESPREAD HARM AND IS A PUBLIC HEALTH CONCERN. HE SAYS THE PUBLIC SHOULD MAKE SURE THEY ARE WELL INFORMED ABOUT WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THIS DRUG AND HOW IT COULD IMPACT OUR AREA FURTHER. COMING UP ON WDSU NEWS AT 4:00, MORE FROM THE CORONER AND
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JP coroner warns of dangerous new drug as strong as fentanyl called 'purple heroin'
Updated: 12:47 PM CDT Oct 22, 2020
The Jefferson Parish coroner is warning the public about a new street drug that he says is just as powerful as fentanyl. The drug is called Brorphine, or "purple heroin," and claimed the life of a Jefferson Parish resident. According to Dr. Gerry Cvitanovich, the Jefferson Parish coroner, there have been 30 deaths linked to the drug in the United States. This is the first death linked to the drug in Louisiana, according to Cvitanovich. The drug is commonly packaged as purple crystal or powder but has also been reported as white or gray powder. "This drug has the potential to cause widespread harm and is a public health concern," said Cvitanovich. "The public should be on full alert due to the extreme danger of this drug."
JEFFERSON PARISH, La. —
The Jefferson Parish coroner is warning the public about a new street drug that he says is just as powerful as fentanyl.
The drug is called Brorphine, or "purple heroin," and claimed the life of a Jefferson Parish resident.
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According to Dr. Gerry Cvitanovich, the Jefferson Parish coroner, there have been 30 deaths linked to the drug in the United States.
This is the first death linked to the drug in Louisiana, according to Cvitanovich.
The drug is commonly packaged as purple crystal or powder but has also been reported as white or gray powder.
"This drug has the potential to cause widespread harm and is a public health concern," said Cvitanovich. "The public should be on full alert due to the extreme danger of this drug."