Unregulated drug 100 times stronger than fentanyl found in CNY

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — The New York State Department of Health has issued a Public Health Alert after detecting a dangerous mix of drugs found in unregulated substances in the Central New York area.

The mix of drugs was found in two sample bags labeled “Super Mario” which were found to have a combination of the drugs fentanyl, xylazine, and trace amounts of heroin and carfentanil.

Carfentanil is a potent drug considered to be up to 100 times stronger than fentanyl.

“Carfentanil is a veterinary drug that is no longer marketed because it is so dangerous. The Department partners with community programs that provide access to drug checking so these dangerous substances are identified before they are used by a person who uses drugs and risks overdose,” State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said. “Our Drug Checking Program at ACR Health was able to quickly identify this dangerous substance and continues to be vital to our harm reduction.”

The samples were gathered on May 20 and were confirmed by the laboratory on June 6.

The substance was reportedly linked to severe wounds needing emergency care within two to three weeks of use.

While bags containing the dangerous mix were labeled “Super Mario,” the health department says it’s important for individuals to take precautions when using any unregulated substance, regardless of its label or packaging.

The State Department of Health says its community drug-checking programs remain a vital resource in finding potentially harmful substances in unregulated drugs.

They also say community drug-checking programs are key to harm reduction and a public health tool that allows for the rapid identification of emergent substances that in the past would only be found in post-mortem toxicology testing.

More information on the State Department of Health Community Drug Checking Program and how to access drug-checking services can be found on the Department’s here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WETM - MyTwinTiers.com.