Wisconsin Rapids Police investigated four overdose cases on Dec. 30, two of them involved a drug police hadn't seen before.

Police say U47700, or U47 for short, is a highly addictive synthetic opiate that serves no medical purpose. It has taken the lives of at least 50 people in the United States. Two of those fatalities were in Wisconsin.

"For our agency it's actually relatively new. This is not a normal type of a drug that we're running into,” explained Lieutenant Brian Krzykowski of the overdose cases.

Nearly eight times more potent than morphine, U-47 comes in various forms and can be injected, snorted or taken orally.

The Wisconsin Rapids Police Department hadn't encountered U47 prior to Dec. 30 until they were called to perform a welfare check on two men.

The men both survived. Police said one of them previously used U47. The other had purchased the drug online and sold it to him. U47 is illegal in Wisconsin. Police believe that U47 use is not common in Wisconsin Rapids, but are not downplaying its effects.

"This was most likely an isolated incident. With any other type of drug abuse, if it's something that they're trying to try and get a different high, or a better high, they believe at least. It is more dangerous obviously and we encourage people not to be involved in this,” Lt. Krzykowski said.

But investigators in neighboring Marathon County said they have not responded to an U47 cases, but try to stay informed about what drugs may be in the area.

"The deputies receive ongoing training in drug recognition. We have several drug recognition experts both here and at the Wausau Police Department,” said Lieutenant Randy Albert.

Synthetic opioids like U-47 comprise one of four categories of the new fake drugs, along with synthetic marijuana (K2), stimulants (bath salts) and hallucinogens.

The Wisconsin Rapids Police Department hopes daily briefings and a new drug detective position within the department, can help them combat drug use in the city, whether it is U47 or something else.

Officers in Lincoln County tell NewsChannel 7 they are aware the drug was found in Wisconsin Rapids and are concern, but said so far the drug has not shown up their community.