Last updated : December 23, 2024
The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office is on high alert after three individuals died from suspected heroin overdoses Tuesday.
As if Heroin wasn’t bad enough, Cuyahoga county addicts have resorted to mixing fentanyl, which is 80 times stronger than morphine, with their heroin to create a more euphoric high.
“Fentanyl is a very potent opiate painkiller,” said Dr. Thomas Gilson, Cuyahoga County medical examiner. “People use fentanyl when you give someone anesthesia for heart surgery.” “We would see it occasionally before but to see a cluster of it is a big concern,” added Gilson.
Authorities are concerned because two of the fentanyl-spiked heroin overdoses occurred at the same time, which may be evidence of a more widespread problem.
“When you’re using, you mix things,” said April, a recovering heroin user and Cleveland resident. “I’ve used pills with my heroin. When you’re addicted, anything that will make you feel better you’re willing to do.”
April injected heroin up to four times a day for seven years with her sister. April is currently in treatment and has been clean for eight monghts, but her sister still abuses heroin laced with fentanyl.
Police and EMS personnel have recently been equipped with with Naloxone to combat heroin overdoses; this drug also counteracts the effects of a fentanyl overdose. Drug addicts shouldn’t be lulled into as false sense of security though because even if first responders administer Naloxone in time, the overdose and treatment put a considerable strain on the body—a strain that someone already weak from drug abuse may not survive.
