Heroin overdose numbers higher than average

ZANESVILLE, Ohio- There have been higher than average numbers of heroin overdoses in Muskingum County over the past few days.

The South Zanesville Fire Department announced the increase Sunday evening in a public service announcement. They said that this is usually an indication that a bad batch of heroin is being distributed.

Steve Carrel, CEO Muskingum Behavioral Health, said that he heard from a medical professional that fentanyl has appeared in Muskingum County.

“The ‘bad batch’ probably has something added to it that is causing the overdose, more than likely it is fentanyl,” said Carrel.

Fentanyl, which is similar to heroin, is much more potent and is commonly mixed with heroin to create a stronger opioid dosage. Fentanyl is 50 to 100 times more potent than heroin.

According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, the high potency of fentanyl greatly increases the risk of overdose.

Carrel said that when you get to this level of use, it is addiction and there is not a whole lot of choice then.

“This is a brain disease, the brain chemistry changes to where heroin or any of the drugs that are addictive is equated to water and food,” said Carrel. “The brain is saying ‘I have to have this to live’ that’s what’s driving the person to do that activity.”

For more information on addiction, or if you or someone you know needs help with addiction, contact Muskingum Behavioral Health at (740)-454-1266.