LaGrange Police Department warns of increase of opioid increase this year

Published 9:15 am Wednesday, March 16, 2022

During the fiscal year 2022, the LaGrange Police Department has continued to see a number of drug overdose incidents.

According to a press release from the department, there have been approximately 19 suspected overdose cases investigated by the LPD so far in the fiscal year of 2022.

Of these overdoses,  victims were found to have purchased what they thought to be Oxycodone 30 mg tablets, commonly referred to by the street name “Roxi’s”, when in fact they were taking counterfeit synthetic opioid pills, laced with deadly amounts of fentanyl. Although the pills do look similar in shape, size and texture, there are some differences such as the offset of the pharmaceutical marks and these have a more granular look than the actual pills.

When administered in a timely manner, Narcan can reverse the effects of opioid overdose. On Friday, the LPD responded to a location within the LaGrange city limits in reference to two unresponsive subjects. The subjects were administered Narcan as a life-saving measure, which resulted in the two regaining consciousness. One patient has since been released by Wellstar West Georgia Medical Center, while the second patient remains hospitalized.

The LaGrange Police Department warns all citizens to never take any substance not prescribed to them by their physician or purchase narcotics from street dealers. Parents should also keep prescription drugs in the original prescription container and out of the reach of children. The department also reminds citizens there is a drug drop box located in the lobby of the LPD at 100 W. Haralson St. This dropbox is anonymous and placed there for all citizens to use to discard old unused prescriptions or any illegal narcotic that also needs to be destroyed.