Deadly Overdose Surge Strikes Austin
Austin police responded to a surge of overdoses on Monday and Tuesday. (FOX 7 in Austin)
LA News Center reports an alarming surge in opioid overdoses in Austin, Texas, resulting in eight fatalities over a 27-hour period. The crisis began on Monday with a series of overdose calls emanating from the downtown area, prompting a rapid response from the Austin-Travis County EMS team.
Heightened Danger
“The overdoses we’re seeing are unusually deadly,” said Dr. Heidi Abraham, Austin Chief Deputy Medical Director. “We’ve had four confirmed deaths so far, and we haven’t seen such high numbers in years.”
Packs of Narcan. (FOX News)
Typically, Austin EMS responds to two to three overdose calls per day. However, the surge has seen over 30 calls, and the situation remains fluid. The victims have responded well to Narcan, with officers from the Austin Police Department administering life-saving first aid in several cases.
Not Just Downtown
Officials emphasize that the crisis is not confined to downtown Austin. The overdoses are occurring in various public areas, residences, and businesses across the city. Authorities suspect a “new batch” of illegally obtained drugs has reached the city, potentially tainted with dangerous contaminants.
