Wayne County meth, heroin use grows again: 'People are afraid of dying'

"People are afraid of dying right now," said Richmond Police Department Lt. Sean O'Brien, the commander of the Wayne County Drug Task Force.

And for good reason.

The infusion of fentanyl, an opioid more potent than heroin, has fueled a drastic increase in local overdoses and drug-related deaths since about the beginning of 2017. The fentanyl can be used by itself or cut into any other drug, and Coroner Ron Stevens said fentanyl is now present in the systems of the majority of county people dying because of drugs.

Pending toxicology reports prevent Stevens from finalizing the number of 2017 drug-related deaths, but he said there will be about 90 when he receives all of the reports. This year began with a similar pace. Stevens, who said marijuana also shows up in the systems of the majority of those deaths, said he had five confirmed drug-related deaths during January and February plus 10 more he expects will be classified as drug-related when he receives final reports. That 15 would be right on pace to reach 90 by year's end.

O'Brien said that fentanyl makes sense to dealers because, with its potency, 1 ounce of fentanyl equals 100 ounces of heroin even though it costs more up front.

"It makes so much more if they cut it properly," O'Brien said.