New drug blamed for 3 deaths in South Carolina county

OCONEE CO., SC (WSPA) — A brand new artificial opioid has been recognized as the reason for three Oconee County deaths in February.

In accordance with the Oconee County Coroner’s Workplace, three individuals who died between Feb. 12-14 every had the drug Protonitazene of their system.

The deaths included a 24-year-old Westminster girl who died in her house and two males, ages 65 and 45, who have been discovered useless outdoors a house close to West Union.

The entire deaths occurred between February 12 and February 14.

The coroner mentioned toxicology testing confirmed the presence of Protonitazene, a brand new artificial opioid with no medically accepted use. Different medicine have been additionally discovered throughout testing, in keeping with the coroner.

“I’ve been knowledgeable that Protonitazene is believed to have efficiency just like or higher than Fentanyl,” Coroner Karl Addis mentioned. “As such, Protonitazene has the potential to trigger speedy sedation, respiratory despair, and loss of life.”

Addis mentioned Protonitazene might be distributed by itself or with heroin and/or fentanyl in tablets or powders.