Fentanyl is responsible for almost half of the 500 or so opioid overdose deaths across Long Island in 2016. It’s a deadly synthetic opioid that is at least 50 times more powerful than traditional heroin. Recently Long Island law enforcement cracked down on a fentanyl pill mill in West Babylon, NY which is located in Suffolk County. This is the first known fentanyl pill mill in the Suffolk County and Nassau County area, leading officials to believe the fentanyl epidemic is worse than anyone previously realized.

We’ve learned that Nassau County is suing doctors and drug companies because of the overprescription of opioid medication. Prescription pain pills have been fueling addiction across Long Island for years, especially in Nassau County.

Suffolk County Police Commissioner Tim Sini announced a spike in opioid-related overdoses across the area in recent days. Over 22 overdoses related to heroin, fentanyl, and prescription pain pills were recorded over a span of just 48 hours across Suffolk County. Luckily, there was only one fatal overdose from this surge.

Drug dealers are always finding new and clever ways to disguise their illicit product, but they often take it too far. Recently the Elmira police department in upstate New York found heroin and Xanax created to look like sweet tarts. This is a danger to children that may innocently mistake these drugs for candy and it can have a deadly outcome. New York police have issued a warning to parents and everyone in the community to be vigilant as heroin disguised as sweet tarts and candy is being found across New York.