Save two more from death for using heroin June 18, 2009 Antigo and Langlade County are not unique, but problems involving heroin continue to flare up here.
In the same week when an Antigo man has been bound over for trial in connection with a Merrill woman’s death, two people today were brought back from the brink of death following what appears to be heroin overdoses.
That brings the list of near deaths to five in Antigo alone in a span of only a matter of months.
“It’s an epidemic,” Police Chief Eric Roller said, stressing that individuals must be aware that using —not simply misusing — the drug can have extremely dangerous, if not deadly consequences.
“The only way we are saving these people is through quick medical response,” Roller said, predicting that if heroin use continues, actual deaths are imminent.
The chief said he was concerned that many people, especially those in the younger generation, may see heroin use as okay, using the excuse that they’ll only try it once or that they’ve tried it the past with no problems.
Not so, Roller said.
“People need to realize the danger they are putting themselves in,” he said, explaining that an unfamiliarity with the drug, a stronger potency or a combination of those and other factors are possible contributors to the recent outbreak of overdoses here and across the state.
As to today’s incident, the Langlade County Safety Building’s dispatch center received a 911 call at 12:27 a.m. The individual relayed that a male and a female had too much to drink and were in need of an ambulance.
Antigo police officers Jermey Wolfe and Christopher May were first to the scene and immediately began CPR after finding the pair slumped over chairs. The man, age 24, was said to be a bluish-grey in color and the officers could not find a pulse for either him or the 19-year old female companion.
Antigo EMTs arrived quickly thereafter and were able to revive both individuals before taking them by ambulance to Langlade Hospital.
“The officers and the EMTs did a great job,” Roller said. “It was through their quick work that these two people are alive.”
A search of the home revealed that drug use, not alcohol, was the cause of concern and evidence including syringes were seized from the home.
Roller said the individuals involved also admitted to using heroin. They have since been released from the hospital and criminal charges involving possession of the drug are pending.
The chief explained that the investigation continues as to where the heroin was obtained and indicated that a third person, the individual believed to have dialed 911, will also likely face charges. He left the home before police arrived and officers are currently searching for his whereabouts.
“We know who he is,” Roller said.
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