'Mega Millions' linked to fatal overdoses in Bergen, Morris and Passaic counties
TRENTON -- The State Police have issued a warning about an especially lethal batch of heroin being sold under the name "Mega Million."
Heroin packaged in folds stamped with this "brand name" has been implicated in "several fatal and non-fatal overdoses" in Bergen, Morris and Passaic counties, the agency said in a statement. The Mega Million heroin contains adulterants that make it especially hazardous, expedited testing of samples revealed.
RELATED: N.J. heroin death rate three times national average
In its statement, the State Police stressed that their warning should not be taken as an endorsement of any drug use but "it is important we release this important, possibly lifesaving information" on the Mega Million batch.
Heroin use is exploding nationwide but especially in New Jersey, whose death rate from the drug of 8.3 per 100,000 in 2013 was far higher than the already elevated national figure of 2.6 per 100,000. There were 781 heroin-related deaths in the state last year.
For more information on addiction and abuse, visit KnowAddiction.nj.gov.
Paul Milo may be reached at pmilo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @PaulMilo2. FindNJ.com on Facebook
