Peoria County Coroner Jamie Harwood is warning the public of three deadly "designer drugs" he said are appearing locally.
Between October and December 2019, three people died from three different "new emerging psychoactive substances."
Tianeptine, an antidepressant used to treat major depressive disorder, killed someone in October. The drug is showing up in various powders, counterfeit pills, and heroin.
Xylanine, a heavy sedative for large animals, caused a November death in Peoria County. The drug was laced with heroin and fentanyl, but Harwood said Xylanine likely caused the death due to a high concentration.
Isotonitazene, an opioid, turned up in the toxicology of a person in December who had used cocaine. Unlike many opioids, Harwood said isotonitazene is potent enough to not be reversible with Narcan.
"These three drugs that have been discovered are game changers in the fight against opioid and opioid related drug deaths for a few reasons," said Harwood. "First, the user will most likely not know that the designer drug is present, and therefore, not know the consequences. Second, if a person does go unresponsive and quits breathing after use, Narcan most likely will not be strong enough to reverse the effects, especially if mixed with other drugs, like heroin and or fentanyl."
JOLT Harm Reduction offers drug testing, but Harwood said these drugs may not be detectible.
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