UPDATED: 48 Heroin Overdoses in Last 4 Days

Update: According to the Columbus Dispatch, between Tuesday and Wednesday there were the previously reported 27, heroin overdoses. Between Wednesday and Thursday there was another wave of an additional 21 overdoses, making the total the past four days 48 overdoses. Officials said to the Dispatch that the heroin circling around the city might be laced with something more potent and volatile than what is normally seen. 

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Original Headline: 27 Heroin Overdoses in Last 24 Hours 

Originally published: Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2016

In the span of 24-hours 27 people have overdosed in Columbus, two of which died, and two of which had almost immediate relapses and re-overdosed 30 minutes after being treated, according to Jose Rodriguez, director of Public Affairs at Columbus Public Health.

The state is currently undergoing an opiate epidemic, and is attempting to respond to it through the funding for life-saving drugs that can help people who have overdosed.

Rodriguez urges people to understand that drug abuse is considered a “chronic relapsing brain disease” and while there is succesful treatment, it is very common for people relapse back into abuse. For the two cases of immediate relapse today, “it is likely the people were very much in extreme pain and had to use again,” said Rodriguez.

Rodriguez also warned that if people do choose to abuse heroin, to never use alone and to test the potency before using a full amount in order to avoid overdose or even death.

**Editor’s Note: Jose Rodriguez said in a follow-up interview that if people are abusing drugs they should seek immediate treatment. However, in the wake of the opiate epidemic, Rodriguez emphasizes that if people do choose to abuse drugs, they should follow the above instructions to save their own lives.**

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