COLUMBUS, Ohio (WOWK) – Authorities across the U.S. are warning of carfentanil, a dangerous synthetic opioid 10,000 times more potent than morphine and 100 times stronger than fentanyl.

"The presence of carfentanil in illicit U.S. drug markets is cause for concern, as the relative strength of this drug could lead to an increase in overdoses and overdose-related deaths, even among opioid-tolerant users," the Drug Enforcement Agency said in a news release. "The presence of carfentanil poses a significant threat to first responders and law enforcement personnel who may come in contact with this substance."

In Ohio, the number of drug samples containing multiple substances is rising across the region, with experts warning about a spike in carfentanil.

Chemists at Ohio's Bureau of Criminal I

See Full Page