The head of the Hamilton County Drug Coalition task force wants OH to declare a public health emergency.
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Animal tranquilizers reportedly used to spike heroin are possibly to blame for an explosion in overdoses over the summer in OH and the region surrounding Cincinnati.
Cincinnati Police told WCPO-TV that they thought more than one dealer was involved in spreading the deadly heroin with at least one giving out the drugs for free. Officials say users often don’t know they’re taking carfentanil-smuggled into the U.S. from Mexico or China and used to cut heroin-which offers a more powerful and longer-lasting high than other opioids.
Authorities reported 78 heroin overdoses during a two-day period in Cincinnati’s Tri-State region with three fatalities in late August, WCPO-TV reported.
Investigators say they also recovered cocaine and marijuana from the vehicle stopped on Interstate 75 in Cincinnati.
The overdose cases slowed recently but still are above usual levels.
Newtown police Chief Tom Synan, who heads the Hamilton County Drug Coalition task force, said Tuesday he wants OH to declare an emergency and free up more resources to help local authorities cope.
Hamilton County coroner Dr. Lakshmi Sammarco (LAK’-shmee suh-MAHR’-koh) scheduled a Tuesday morning news conference to discuss the problem.
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A spokeswoman for Republican Gov. John Kasich, Emmalee Kalmbach, said the state is continuing to work with Cincinnati area officials to strengthen prevention, treatment and other resources. Behind her is Hamiliton County Sheriff Jim Neil.
