ROSS CO., Ohio (WCMH)–The Ross County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents that a dangerous heroin additive has made its way into the community.
Two people overdosed Thursday on suspected heroin or heroin laced with fentanyl. The sheriff’s office said in a press release that “if a user injects their usual dose of heroin, and it’s laced with fentanyl, this mix is deadly.”
Data from the Ross County Coroner’s Office shows seven drug overdoses, six of which were caused by fentanyl.
Narcan (naloxone) is an opiate reversal medicine that is available through the Health District at 150 E. Second St. or at Henderson’s Pharmacy, Kroger’s, CVS, and Walgreens, the sheriff’s office said.
Dr. Timothy Angel, the Ross County Health Commissioner, addressed the severity of the drug in a Friday press conference.
“You’re going to die. You’re going to die. It’s that simple,” he said. “There’s no easy way to sugar coat this. If you take this drug that’s on the street right now you’re going to die.
“This drug that’s floating around right now will kill you if you use it. And it’s almost instantaneous. So there’s no help. There’s no chance for Narcan with this drug. It will kill you.”
Tracy Minshall, with the Chillicothe Recovery Council, said she hopes publicly addressing the issue will make people realize how dangerous the drug is.
“It’s so strong. People don’t know. There’s no smell, no color, there’s no nothing… Someone could actually be buying from the same dealer they’ve bought from for years,” she said. “Then their dealer brings in something that’s laced with fentanyl, no one knows. They may do the exact same thing, same amount that they’ve done for a long time and then this time it’s laced with fentanyl and their heart stops.”
Resources for people struggling with addiction:
The Recovery Council, www.therecoverycouncil.org
Chillicothe Outpatient 740-851-5307
George Harris House (Waverly), a residential facility for women 740-947-2364 or 740-648-7488
Ed’s Place and Kent’s Place (Waverly), an inpatient facility with residential housing for men 740-648-9918 or 740-648-7875
Waverly Outpatient 740-947-7581
Recovery housing is also available in Ross and Pike counties. The same numbers for that are also 740-648-9918 or 740-648-7875.
