12 heroin overdoses in 72 hours linked to "7 of Hearts" heroin

[The Straight Story]

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. -- Officials are continuing to investigate a series of heroin overdoses, including a dozen within 72 hours between Cambria and Somerset counties.

Cambria County District Attorney Kelly Callihan said Friday the overdoses happened between the two counties from Tuesday to Thursday.

Callihan said the 12 patients were taken on Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center in Johnstown for treatment. Eight of those were taken to for medical treatment within three hours Thursday. Officials with the Cambria County Drug Task Force and Callihan said the overdoses were linked to a batch of heroin labeled "7 of Hearts."

Of the eight overdoses in Cambria County on Thursday, four happened in the Moxham section of Johnstown, two were in East Taylor Township and two were in Conemaugh Township. They happened in the evening hours.


http://www.wjactv.com/news/features/top-stories/stories/12-heroin-overdoses-72-hours-linked-same-batch-2485.shtml

[morningfog]

1. Very sad. Legalize and make safe.

Also equip first responders with the antidote. Although, it isn't clear at this point whether these were actually overdoses or tainted supplies.

[Comrade Grumpy]

2. You can't regulate what you prohibit.

Better that drug users die than that they obtain quality- and dose-controlled drugs in a legal marketplace.

Which is not to say that all overdoses are a function of black market issues. They're not. People overdose on prescription opiates all the time, too. These are dangerous drugs. If you're going to use them, be smart, or you could be dead.

[The Straight Story]

4. Next up sugary drinks, cigs, pipes, cigars, guns, alcohol (worse than the others listed) and so on

Until we have turned everyone into criminals living in the fantasy land of a few folks who hate everything and want everyone to only do what they themselves like.

But hey, pot will probably be legal

[postulater]

3. I'd like to see the details of those individuals.

How many were using heroin as a substitute for oxycontin, tramadol and / or other opioids that they were prescribed for pain? That is becoming a horrendous problem.

John Fauber from the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel has been writing some really good articles on this topic over the last couple years.

http://www.jsonline.com/watchdog/watchdogreports/drug-tramadol-escapes-stricter-regulation-b99158486z1-236900801.html