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Spike in heroin overdoses may be result of more daring addicts

He said none of Tuesday’s overdoses were fatal.

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A batch of heroin that contained fentanyl killed around 13 people in Monroe County and the region in May 2015, the deadliest month for heroin/fentanyl overdoses past year.

More than 20 heroin overdoses were reported across Cincinnati Tuesday night, the majority of which were reported on the west side.

Narcan, or naloxone, can be administered to reverse the effects of opioid overdose, according to the national institute. One person died, while the others were being treated by police, fire, emergency medical services and hospital staff from Schneck Medical Center.

Seymour Police arrested Michael Purvis, 34, for dealing after he suffered seizures from taking the same heroin. Next they will send the heroin to the Indiana State Police.

Fentanyl is an extremely powerful narcotic typically used for patients with severe pain or to manage pain post-surgery.

Officers said they were able to trace the heroin to Cincinnati, where law enforcement responded to more than 30 overdoses in a single day.

Police are still trying to figure out the exact cause of the increase and are also working to find the commonalities in these cases to find the source of the unsafe drug that is being circulated. Any drugs that may have been found at the various scenes will be analyzed.

A post on the police department’s Facebook page goes on to say “it was first reported multiple lives had been lost, but due to the relentless efforts of police, fire, EMS, and hospital staff now only 1 death has been reported”.

Cincinnati PD had also issued a warning to its citizens following the alleged circulation of the drug. Numerous visitors did not respond to naloxone, and authorities believed that was a result of heroin mixed with deadly opioids, including fentanyl.

Caleb Barton, 18, was arrested for possession of a controlled substance and later released on $2,055 bond.

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There are treatment options and support for those struggling with heroin addiction.

Heroin OD spike from weekend continues