Central Ohio heroin overdoses

ZANESVILLE, Ohio - Columbus officials are blaming heroin for 27 overdoses and two deaths in 24 hours. This forces police to put out a warning that a highly potent form of heroin could be circulating in Central Ohio.

Steve Carell, of the Muskingum Behavioral Health Center, said that fentanyl related substances have been confirmed in the area this year.

“It could easily be coming here. I have been told by health officials that we do have some fentanyl here. We’ve had at least one fentanyl confirmed death during this calendar year. Whatever happens in the cities will eventually come here. The interstate system is good for commerce, but it’s also good for drug trade,” said Carell.

Officials are advising heroin users to throw away their drugs, in the case that it could contain the presence of fentanyl or carfentanil, but Carell said it’s not that easy.

“That’s not how addiction works. Addiction works in the way that it’s not going to happen to me. I’ve got the stuff, I’m going to use it. I know my dealer, they wouldn’t do that to me,” said Carell.

Carell recommends that if you know someone who uses heroin, get an overdose antidote. It could save their life.