Overdoses lead to prevention
And prosecution efforts
While heroin overdosing has become a crucial problem facing addicts and first responders alike, there is a unique development in this area. A drug called Naloxone and commonly marketed as Narcan almost instantly reverses the effects of heroin and other opiates. Many overdosing addicts have been saved by the administration of this drug.
Within the past 18 to 24 months, Narcan has begun to frequently appear as a tool in ambulances, fire trucks and even police cars. In these field applications, Narcan is typically administered as a nasal spray. It is now saving a number of lives, including within Anderson County.
This has caused several interesting observations. In some cases, an addict has been saved or revived with Narcan multiple times. That, too, has happened in Anderson County. In addition, since Narcan is available now over-the-counter without a prescription. Addicts are buying it as a safeguard against overdosing themselves on a “hot” dose of heroin. Of course, in this latter case, it is being used to actually facilitate the use of heroin by those who otherwise may be scared to take it. Solutions to our drug problem are always complicated.
In one local incident, a resident was saved on Sunday from a heroin overdose. Later that week another person overdosed on heroin and died at the same address in Anderson County.
The person that was saved using Narcan on Sunday was charged with selling the fatal dose that killed someone else days later.
The TBI and other law enforcement agencies investigate overdose deaths.
While it is hard to gather the evidence, when it can be proven that someone sold a fatal dose of heroin (and other drugs) to a user that died from an overdose of that drug, the dealer can be charged with murder.
