Deaths linked to drug

Fentanyl worry

FIFTEEN Victorian deaths have been linked to the potent pain reliever Fentanyl in the past year.

Premier Ted Baillieu yesterday described the number— based on Coroner’s Court figures — as ‘‘deeply disturbing’’.

Fentanyl made headlines this week when it was revealed two paramedics had been stood down and police called i n a f t e r the alleged theft of the drug from Ambulance Victoria.

They are among seven ambulance officers to have been implicated in drug thefts in the past four years.

The 15 V i c t o r i a n fatalities are not linked t o the missing AV stocks, with many of the victims known to one another.

News Ltd under- stands those cases happened in the north and far-west of the state.

It is believed the fatal doses of the pain-killer — which is 100 times more powerful than morphine — were obtained from interstate.

A Coroner’s Court spokeswoman said the deaths remained under investigation.

‘‘The court is not yet in a position to confirm whether there is an actual increase and, if so, whether it represents a temporary spike or the beginning of a new trend,’’ the spokeswoman said.

Fentanyl is widely used to help cancer patients in pain.

AV said it had no staff working as operational paramedics who were suspected of stealing drugs and it immediately acted on any suspected cases of drug misappropriation.