BOND COUNTY — Due to two drug-related deaths in his county in the past week, Bond County Coroner Tony Brooks is raising raising the alarm over the use and effects of heroin and fentanyl use.

Brooks says heroin is one of the most common, addictive, and lethal drugs in the world. He says heroin has experienced a recent resurgence in the U.S., which has, in kind, resulted in more overdose deaths

Pharmaceutical fentanyl 1 is a synthetic opioid pain reliever, approved for treating severe pain, typically advanced cancer pain.

Brooks explains that it’s 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine and can be diverted for misuse and abuse in the United States.

However, most recent cases of fentanyl-related harm, overdose, and death in the U.S. are linked to illegally made fentanyl.2, which is sold through illegal drug markets for its heroin-like effect.

It’s often mixed with heroin and/or cocaine as a combination product—with or without the user’s knowledge—to increase its euphoric effects.

He says there is a high risk for addiction and dependence, and it can cause respiratory distress and death when taken in high doses or when combined with other substances, especially alcohol.