New form of heroin behind several overdoses in southern IL

MARION, IL – (Brittany Jacob – KFVS -TV Click on the link to read the full story and view the video. Here is an except) MARION, IL (KFVS) – There is a new drug that has Illinois lawmakers taking action. They call it U4 and lawmakers classified it as a Schedule 1 controlled substance. Some even call it “pinky” for its pink hue. However, this has yet to stop the number of overdoses in southern Illinois. Most people are familiar with opioids such as morphine or codeine used for medicinal purposes, but there’s also heroin. “Heroine is actually very large and common drug around here,” Michael Chipma, ER director, said. “It has become cheaper. People are getting more access to it. Unfortunately, it is getting stronger and killing people.” The new drug, U4, is a lot stronger.