Police Issue Warning After More Than 30 Heroin-Related Overdoses In Camden In One Week
By Alexandria Hoff and Justin Udo
CAMDEN, N.J., (CBS) -- Over the last week, the city of Camden has seen nearly three dozen heroin overdoses.
As KYW's Justin Udo reports, county officials are working together to combat these troubling numbers.
Sgt. Janell Simpson with Camden County Police says there have already been three deaths this month as a result of heroin overdoses.
"The Camden County Police Department along with the Camden County Prosecutor's Office are issuing a safety alert regarding the dangers to drug users purchasing heroin in the city," said Sgt. Simpson.
Sgt. Simpson says they're trying to figure out why there is such a large jump in heroin overdoses.
"From June 1st to June 7th in 2014 we had nine overdoses. We had 32 this year in that same week span," said Sgt. Simpson.
Sgt. Simpson says police officers helped prevent four more heroin overdose fatalities by using their Narcan pens.
It's a drug that reverses an opioid overdose.
As CBS 3's Alexandria Hoff reports, people like Lindsey Baer-Cope are in high demand these days.
As it has become legal in New Jersey she's been training people to administer Nalaxone, which is also referred to as Narcan, the nasal spray reverses the effects of a opioid overdose.
"We have a lot of parent support groups, loved ones. We've had our own clients come in. A lot of the homeless here in Camden have it on them now actually," said Baer-Cope who works with Urban Treatment Associates in Camden.
That's not a typo. She said that some of Camden's Homeless are now in possession of the life-saving doses and someone soon may be happy they are.
"In the past seven days we have had 32 overdoses. Three of them were fatal," said Sgt. Janell Simpson of Camden County Police.
The same week last year there were nine total heroin overdoses. Those who work closely with addicts believe the spike means that there's a dangerous new brand currently in circulation.
Even more dangerous, many addicts consider a product better, and stronger the more overdoses it causes.
Sgt. Simpson added that they have several more overdoses Monday morning.
Police also note that least a dozen deaths were prevented last week alone by police or EMS administering Narcan.
But it's not all roses.
"The more of a dose they give the more withdraw they will feel when they wake up and they could become violent," warns Baer-Cope.
So what about those who feel Narcan perpetuates the problem?
"I argue with them. I say 'It's a life. If that was your family member your child you would want that out there'," Baer-Cope adds.
Narcan retails for about $100 in New Jersey but can be obtained for free at the Urban Treatment Associates, so long as the person picking it up receives free training and information about addiction treatment.
Officers are currently investigating the origin of the drug. Anyone with information can call the Camden County Police Department at 856-757-7042.
