The "drug box" as it's known by EMS has substances to combat a variety of problems in the field including Naloxone, a heroin overdose antidote best known by the brand name Narcan. Overdoses have been an increasing problem locally and around the Midwest after the chemical fentanyl was included. Staff photo by Corey Ohlenkamp
The "drug box" as it's known by EMS has substances to combat a variety of problems in the field including Naloxone, a heroin overdose antidote best known by the brand name Narcan. Overdoses have been an increasing problem locally and around the Midwest after the chemical fentanyl was included. Staff photo by Corey Ohlenkamp

MUNCIE — A jump in overdoses over the weekend means that a new, stronger form of heroin has arrived in Delaware County.

"That heroin is here," Jason Rogers, the county's emergency management director, told the county commissioners Monday.

Rogers said Delaware County EMS, the county's ambulance service, responded to "seven to 10" heroin overdose calls each day from Friday through Sunday. The week before, it was typical for EMS to respond to "one or two" overdoses.

"We've had more than one overdose from the same person in one day," Rogers said.

"They found people with needles still in their arms," Rogers said, adding that indications at the scenes were that the heroin had come from the Dayton area, a longtime and frequent source of illegal drugs. "So it is here."

Heroin use and overdoses have been an increasing problem locally, in Indiana and around the Midwest. With the chemical fentanyl included, heroin is reportedly much stronger. In recent weeks, authorities have attributed a rising number of overdoses to carfentanil, a drug used to sedate animals like elephants.
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