LYNN – Lynn Police Statement – Recently, over the course of a one-week period, Lynn Police and EMS personnel responded to (5) opiate overdose incidents involving four different youths aged (14) to (20). One individual was the victim in two of those incidents. All the victims were transported to the hospital for further treatment. One juvenile remains in critical condition at a Boston Hospital.
Our main concern is to prevent future overdoses. Therefore, we are working with all partners in the community to direct this advisory to all parents, families, and guardians. All four of these victims are males of Hispanic Central American ethnicity who reside in this community. They all knowingly ingested what they believed was heroin. None of these youths has prior involvement with the Lynn Police for drug-related issues. Based on our investigation so far, we believe that they only recently started using opioids.
The Lynn Police are engaged in an active investigation to determine the source of these illegal drugs. The drugs likely contained Fentanyl, which can be extremely potent and cause immediate distress or death. We strongly encourage parents and guardians to have conversations with children regarding the dangers of using opiates. If you have a loved one who is using illegal drugs, there are resources available for information and support, including the following:
Lynn Police Department Behavioral Health Unit: (781) 477-4303 – E-Mail: bhu@lynnpolice.org
Eliot Services Urgent Care Community Based Health Center (CBHC), 95 Pleasant St., Lynn: 1-800-988-1111
Massachusetts Substance Abuse Hotline: 1-800-327-5050
SAMSA National Substance Abuse Hotline: 1-800-662-4357
