Los Angeles County public health officials issued a warning Tuesday about black tar heroin that may be contaminated with a bacteria that can cause botulism — a potentially fatal disease.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is warning that black tar heroin in Los Angeles may be contaminated with bacteria that can cause wound botulism, a serious illness that can cause death.

Bob Sharits, program director of The Way Out Recovery SCV, cautioned against using any manufactured drug, noting “you don’t know what is really inside.”

“When these drugs are manufactured, they can cut with a number of different things,” Sharits said. “These drug manufacturers do not care about your health, only their profits.”

See Related: How Heroin Comes To The Santa Clarita Valley 

Injection drug users are at greatest risk, especially if injecting contaminated heroin under their skin — “skin-popping” — or into their muscle.

“Injecting drugs is never safe,” Sharits said. “But the danger increases with these unknown substances that the heroin may be contaminated with.”

Contaminated drugs look the same as drugs that do not contain bacteria. “Cooking” or heating drugs will not kill the bacteria that cause botulism, according to Public Health officials.

“Botulism is not contagious from person to person, but if you share contaminated heroin or equipment with another person, both of you might get botulism,” said officials.

Symptoms of wound botulism include drooping eyelids, blurred or double vision, difficulty speaking, difficulty swallowing, trouble breathing and shortness of breath.

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These symptoms may be mistaken for drug overdose, and may occur within days or weeks of injecting the contaminated drug, according to Public Health.

“Any injection drug user who is suspected of experiencing these symptoms should go to the nearest emergency room immediately,” Public Health officials warned. “Symptoms can be life threatening and require immediate medical attention.”

Sharits encourages anyone struggling with drug addiction, or a loved one, to seek help from a medical professional.

First responders and emergency department personnel are reminded to consider botulism in heroin users who presents with neurologic symptoms and call the Department of Public Health Immediately for advice on testing and treatment.

“You can never really trust your source,” Sharits said. “When it comes to manufacture drugs, it is always Russian Roulette.”

Those seeking alcohol and drug treatment in Santa Clarita, a drug rehab in Santa Clarita or a teen drug rehab can rest assured that The Way Out Recovery SCV’s philosophy is to teach life-long coping skills and strategies to assist in improving quality of life and living happily and meaningfully without the need of destructive behaviors.

The Way Out Recovery SCV

28118 Bouquet Canyon Road

Santa Clarita, CA 91350

(661) 296-4444

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