Nine heroin users have recently been killed by a potent batch of drugs in Philadelphia and New Jersey, but the fatalities have only served to drive up demand for the drug among users, the Associated Press reported April 25.

Rather than being scared off, "It was more like: I have to get some of that stuff," said heroin addict Ellen Krips, whose cousin was one of the overdose victims.

Authorities say that the drugs being sold as heroin under brand names like "Flatline" and "Capone" are in fact mostly fentanyl, a painkiller that is 80 times more powerful than morphine. About 70 users have recently been hospitalized after taking the drug.

One, William Gamble, bought "Capone" shortly after a police officer told him that "Flatline" was dangerous. "If I tell [a fellow addict] I OD'd, they're coming to find that bag," said Gamble.

Stephen Marcus, medical director of the New Jersey Poison Control Center, said that news reports on overdoses could serve as free commercials for drug dealers. "Will this make the drug abusers go out particularly looking for the stronger stuff?" he said. "If it does, it's a double-edged sword."