Anniston, AL – The Anniston Police Department issued a press release on their Facebook page about a sudden uptick with cocaine related overdoses. In the past 24 hours they have received 10 overdose calls with one leading to death.
“Because of the inherent risk of drug use, we have responded to almost 10 overdose calls over the past 24 hours with at least one resulting in death. We are learning that among these cases, several of the victims believed they were purchasing and planning to use cocaine and were instead given an unknown amount of what is suspected to be fentanyl. This is not a post to belittle drug users but a notice to those who choose to use these substances of the ever present dangers to your well being.”
When police agencies see a trend in overdoses in a short time they suspect a person, or persons, has been adding other chemicals to the narcotic. In this case the Anniston Police Department has been able to identify that recently, users of cocaine have been purchasing the narcotic unaware that it has been laced with the additional chemical fentanyl.
Anniston Police Chief, Nick Bowles, said “We don’t condone the use of illegal narcotics, but we also don’t want our citizens dying because they are being tricked into using something they don’t want.” The street crimes unit will be aggressively looking for this dangerous mix of illegal narcotics with the intention of stopping it from hurting or killing more people.
If you know someone that uses cocaine, please let them know about this dangerous situation. If you know someone that wants help with their addiction, please contact the Alabama Department of Mental Health and Recovery at 844-307-1760.
If you have information about someone selling illegal narcotics you can contact the Anniston Police Department at (256) 238-1800. If you would prefer to remain anonymous, provide your tip through Central Alabama CrimeStoppers at (334) 215-7867 or download their app from the website – www.215stop.com.
