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FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (WNCN) — Two people died Saturday night less than a month after Fayetteville police warned about “alarming” increases in synthetic opioid overdoses from a possible “potent or contaminated” supply.
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From Saturday overnight into Sunday, three people overdosed on what appeared to be a synthetic opioid, according to a Fayetteville Police Department news release.
“Upon arrival, officers began lifesaving measures, including CPR, and summoned emergency medical personnel to the scene,” officers said.
While two people died, the third overdose victim was in serious condition when taken to a nearby hospital, the news release said.
“We are actively investigating and working with our local, state, and federal partners to identify the sources of these illegal narcotics entering our community in order to bring those responsible to justice,” officers said.
The initial warning from police was on August 13, when officers reported several days of an “elevated number of overdose incidents” in which fentanyl or other opioids were suspected.
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“The increase has prompted concern that particularly potent or contaminated illegal drugs may currently be circulating in the Fayetteville area,” the August warning said.
In the warning then, police said that North Carolina law provides “certain protections” for people who seek emergency medical help during an overdose.
“Our immediate priority is preventing additional loss of life,” officers said last month. “We are asking everyone in our community to take this warning seriously and to call 911 immediately if an overdose is suspected.”
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Sunday, officers encouraged the use of Narcan to avoid overdose deaths.
“Naloxone is a safe, easy to use, lifesaving nasal spray that can rapidly reverse an opioid overdose and restore breathing,” the news release said.
Meanwhile, police are hoping to track down the drugs that are causing the overdoses and said anyone with information about fentanyl or other illegal narcotic distribution in Fayetteville should contact the Fayetteville Crime Stoppers at 910-483-8477 (TIPS).
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