The New Jersey Regional Operations and Intelligence Center (ROIC), working in collaboration with law enforcement agencies in the New Jersey and Pennsylvania area through the Drug Monitoring Initiative, has identified three highly lethal brands of drugs identified by unique stamps, which are responsible for six recent overdose deaths in the region.
Wax folds containing heroin are typically stamped with text, images, or both. The potentially lethal drug stamps found in New Jersey are labeled, Power Hour, Taliban, and Strike Dead. Laboratory analysis on these particular drug stamps revealed highly potent and dangerous drug combinations not typically seen. Some of the drugs found within these drug stamps will not respond to the administration of Narcan, which is used by law enforcement and first responders to prevent opiod-induced fatal overdoses. Some of these brands contain no heroin at all, and users may not be aware of what drugs they are consuming.
The N.J. ROIC’s DMI was created in 2009 in collaboration with the New Jersey Department of Health to address the epidemic of the pervasive use of heroin, opiates, and the violent crimes and burglaries that are directly correlated to this nationwide crisis. The DMI’s ability to expeditiously collect and analyze seized drugs enables law enforcement and healthcare officials to quickly notify the public of potentially lethal batches of drugs in the region as overdoses are reported.
The New Jersey State Police recognizes that heroin and drug use is inherently dangerous and potentially life-threatening. Today’s public service announcement serves only to notify individuals who may be possession of this contaminated batch of drugs, which has proven to be lethal on several occasions.