Three heroin-related deaths reported in Monroe County in one day

The Federal Drug Enforcement Agency has issued a public safety warning in Monroe County after three people in Monroe County died in three separate locations April 14. All three were heroin-related deaths, according to Monroe County Sheriff Dale Malone. One person in Frenchtown Township and two people in Bedford Township, who were not found together, but in the same vicinity, are reported to have died. According to a press release from the Monroe County Sheriff, all three subjects had injected themselves with heroin and immediately died after doing so. The bodies of all three were sent to the Wayne County Medical Examiners Office for autopsies.

According to Malone, the DEA’s warning is due to identifying a large increase of Fentanyl-laced heroin in the area.

“At this time it is unknown if Fentanyl is the cause of the recent deaths, but the general public needs to be aware of this deadly combination,” the release said. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, Fentanyl is a synthetic opiate analgesic similar to but more potent than morphine typically prescribed to people with severe chronic pain.

Malone is asking anyone who is currently using drugs to stop immediately and seek assistance. Anyone wishing to report any drug activity is encouraged to contact the Monroe Area Narcotics Team and Investigative Services commonly known as MANTIS at 734-240-2605.