COLUMBUS – Columbus officials have mobilized a rapid-response team and are warning drug users about potent batch of heroin after they say 27 people suffered overdoses – two of them fatal — in a 24-hour span using what’s believed to be a mix of heroin and something stronger.
Treatment, help and support are available by calling Netcare at 614-276-CARE (2273).
UPDATE: The Columbus Division of Fire confirmed another 21 overdose cases had been reported by Thursday morning.
The spike prompted a warning from police that a highly potent form of heroin could be circulating in central Ohio.
“Opiate addiction is ravaging our city. The Columbus Divisions of Fire, Police and Public Health are working hard to respond to the current wave of overdoses caused by a particularly strong version of the drug…As a community, we must lift up those struggling with substance abuse, their families and friends during this health crisis.” –statement from Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther
A Columbus police spokesman says officers and fire crews responded to a number of calls about individuals who overdosed within hours of each other on heroin mixed with an unidentified opiate from Tuesday through early Wednesday.
The 27 people who were administered the overdose reversal drug naloxone was more than three times the usual number of cases in a 24-hour period, Columbus Public Health spokesman Jose Rodriguez said.
Columbus Public Health and Columbus City Council this week allocated $20,000 for the naloxone, according to a release from the office of Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther.
Deputy Police Chief Michael Woods says some of those who overdosed are helping authorities trying to identify the source of the drugs.
Meanwhile, the Columbus city attorney’s office is seeking dual civil injunctions to board up two properties — one on Duxberry Avenue in the Linden area where several of the overdoses were reported – because of drug activity associated with the overdoses, city attorney Rick Pfeiffer said.
The properties at 967 Duxberry Avenue in Linden and 1036 Bellows Avenue, off Sullivant Avenue on the West Side are both owned by Michael Fosnaugh, who has been advised of the drug activity going on at those addresses, assistant city attorney Katarina Karac said.
Health and law enforcement officials said the Opiate Rapid Response Team operates around-the-clock, monitoring emergency runs and emergency room visits, Rodriguez said. The team is a collaboration of 10 agencies: Columbus Division of Fire/EMS, Columbus Division of Police, Columbus Public Health, Franklin County Coroner’s Office, Franklin County Public Health, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, the Central Ohio Trauma System, Central Ohio Poison Center, NetCare and Alcohol Drug and Mental Health Board of Franklin County.
Columbus health commissioner Dr. Teresa Long says anyone with a loved one who is addicted, or who is addicted themselves, should have naloxone, which is available at most central Ohio pharmacies, on hand. The anti-overdose drug is also available at Equitas Health and the Southeast Integrated Healthcare Services. Financial assistance is available for those who need it.
Additionally, users are encouraged to test their heroin batch first for its potency before use and should not use alone. Someone should be present who can call 911 or administer naloxone, Long said.