A shocking incident in Portland has left the community in disbelief as first responders successfully saved eight individuals who had overdosed on drugs laced with Fentanyl.
The victims, all in their late teens or early twenties, were discovered near a playground at the intersection of Park Ave. and Couch Street around 10 a.m. on October 2, according to a report by KGW-TV.
The drug, a white substance that was snorted, had a devastating effect on the victims. However, thanks to the quick response of first responders, all eight individuals were administered Narcan and are expected to survive. While four of the victims were hospitalized, the remaining four refused medical treatment.
Rick Graves, spokesperson for Portland Fire & Rescue, expressed his astonishment at the incident, stating that it was the highest number of overdoses in a single call in the history of Portland Fire. He emphasized the urgency of the situation, saying, "If something hasn't opened the window to where we are right now, this probably should. I think we're in a pretty significant situation with the use of these chemical substances on the streets that's certainly unhealthy to those that are using it and the community that surrounds it," as reported by KGW.
Residents in the area, like Robert Savage, who works near the park, are deeply concerned about the lack of preventative measures being taken. Savage recounted his own experiences, saying, "Found three bodies gone. Overdosed." He expressed frustration with the local authorities, stating, "I want to know why Multnomah County, the city of Portland, and the Joint Office isnt releasing as much money as possible towards personnel on the street that can help solve this because I can tell you, theyre not. Nothing has changed in the last four years since Ive been here. In fact, its gotten worse," as reported by KPTV-TV.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by the use of illicit drugs, particularly those laced with potent substances like Fentanyl. It also highlights the need for increased resources and support to address the ongoing drug crisis in Portland and protect the well-being of both individuals and the community as a whole.
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