Carfentanil Sample Most Likely Identified in Kent County, Michigan

Date Sent: 09/15/2016 10:10 AM EDT
Sender: Michigan Health Alert Network
Subject: Carfentanil Sample Most Likely Identified in Kent County, Michigan

Message:
The Michigan State Police (MSP) laboratory in Grand Rapids, Michigan, received an unknown powder from law enforcement in Kent County, Michigan, for testing and identification purposes. The MSP Forensic Science Division examined the chemical composition of the unknown substance and determined the substance matched the chemical composition of Carfentanil.

This puts Michigan residents, first responders, and public health personnel at great risk of accidental overdose and death due to the extremely potent opioid. The Michigan Intelligence Operations Center (MIOC) recommends first responders and public health officials treat unknown chemicals and substances with extreme caution. People and animals such as canine units may absorb carfentanil, fentanyl, and other opioids via skin contact, inhalation, oral exposure, or ingestion. According to the 2016 Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) warning about fentanyl, “The onset of adverse health effects, such as disorientation, coughing, sedation, respiratory distress or cardiac arrest is very rapid and profound, usually occurring within minutes of exposure.
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For additional information refer the attached document. (U//FOUO)
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Attachments:

• MI SAB-15-2016 U-FOUO Carfentanil Sample Most Likely Identified in Kent County Michigan (002).pdf