Drug That Killed Prince Now Public Enemy #1 In South Florida
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- Fentanyl is being called the most addictive and deadliest drug ever to hit the streets of South Florida.
The drug that killed the entertainer Prince this year has killed 142 people in Miami-Dade County this year, so far, compared to just 13 two years ago. That's a 400 percent spike.
"About 80 percent of those cases actually involve Fentanyl in combination with other drugs," said Asst. Medical Examiner Dr. Diane Boland.
Fentanyl is used with heroin, cocaine, sedatives and alcohol. It's 100 times more powerful than morphine.
Related: Official: Pills Found At Prince's Estate Contained Fentanyl
Miami Fire Rescue alone has spent more on a Fentanyl antidote this year than all of last year.
"This problem is bad and it's getting worse and the biggest cost is the cost to the lives, to the livelihood and the human effect on our citizens," said Miami Fire Rescue Chief Maurice Kemp.
The Fentanyl is coming mostly from Mexico and in a short period of time has flooded South Florida's inner cities.
"If you have any information on anyone who is selling this drug, or manufacturing it, please call us – 305-471-TIPS," said Assistant Miami-Dade Police Director Freddy Ramirez.
"If we don't do something now, it'll affect our city in very dramatic ways. If we all don't stand together and do something about this problem, it's going to overtake us," said Miami Police Chief Rodolfo Llanes.
Fentanyl, a drug that most had never heard of until recently, is now threatening to become public enemy number one.
