Crime & Safety

Police Investigating Recent Spike in Heroin Overdoses

A high number of heroin overdoses, including fatalities, have been reported in Massachusetts in the last two weeks.

By John Waller/Patch 

Police in Massachusetts are investigating what’s behind a recent spike in heroin overdoses, according to a Boston Globe report.

Attleboro Police Chief Kyle Heagney told the Globe that usually his department gets one or two overdose calls a month, but in the last two weeks, it’s been getting at least one a day. A 28-year-old Attleboro woman apparently died from a heroin overdose Friday; three people have recently died from overdoses in Taunton, the Globe reports.

Possible explanations, according to the Globe:

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  • A pure/powerful heroin is being distributed
  • The heroin being distributed has another drug in it, which has increased its toxicity
  • People are using multiple drugs simultaneously

New Hampshire has seen a similar spike, with multiple overdoses in Salem and Portsmouth.

Read the full Boston Globe report >>

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