FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Broward County health officials have issued an urgent warning to residents warning of a street drug that has been connected to more than 50 deaths in the last six months.
The Broward County medical examiner released lab test results showing that 53 deaths have been tied to Carfentanil, a drug commonly used to sedate 13,000 pound elephants.
Carfentanil is considered 100 times deadlier than fentanyl, which experts claims is 50 times more lethal than heroin.
The drug is so dangerous, first responders and other medical help are at risk from simply breathing fumes.
Often times, people buying drugs on the streets are unaware of what they're actually using.
"If you're buying heroin or cocaine, or any drug on the streets for that matter, it could be laced with Carfentanil, and if it is there's a very high chance you will die," said Dr. Craig Mallak, Broward's chief medical examiner.
The DEA has previously issued a warning about Carfentanil to warn citizens about its dangers.
The Broward County medical examiner's office is asking people who suffer from a drug problem, or know someone who is, to contact the Broward Addiction Recovery Center at 954-357-4880
