As Kent County grapples with a surge in overdose deaths, federal authorities say they will be paying special attention to synthetic forms of the painkiller fentanyl, which is becoming a popular – and deadly – substitute for heroin.

“Fentanyl is just so deadly, we can’t ignore it,’’ said U.S. Attorney Andrew Birge. “If they’re importing, transporting fentanyl, they should consider themselves a federal target.’’

 

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan has seen a 50 percent increase in prosecutions for heroin offenses. Fentanyl prosecutions, he said, are expected to climb as more enters the market.

“I want the word out there – do something else,’’ Birge said. “Don’t get involved in heroin and certainly don’t get involved with fentanyl and heroin.’’

Kent County had 137 confirmed overdose deaths in 2017; an increase of 47 percent from the previous year. That number is expected to rise once 24 pending cases are resolved.

About four in five fatal overdoses involve an opioid. Fentanyl was found in more than half of the opioid deaths.

But it’s no longer just prescription fentanyl, which is used as a pain reliever and often administered through a patch. Much of what is being seen is made outside the U.S. in powder form.

Kent County Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Stephen Cohle calls the increase in fentantyl deaths “staggering.’’

“We’re seeing overdoses from just fentanyl and heroin mixed with fentanyl,’’ he said. “That combo is extremely common these days and it’s not slowing down.’’

The Drug Enforcement Administration says the powder form of fentanyl is popular because it is potent and can be easily mixed with other drugs, including cocaine. It comes from clandestine labs in Asia and from Mexican drug cartels, said Bruce McColley, assistant special agent in charge of the DEA office in Detroit.

“We’re not only seeing it in heroin, we’re also seeing organizations cutting this into cocaine and other drugs to make them more powerful and more economically profitable,’’ McColley said.

 

Cohle says fatal overdoses have been used as a macabre marketing tool.

“Word gets around and people flock to that dealer because he’s got the good stuff,’’ Cohle said. “It’s like speed in a car. They want a faster car. The results are deadly.’’

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