Lowell officials warn of ‘lethal batch of opiates’ following 4 fatal overdoses

Officials are warning that a “lethal batch of opiates” may be circulating in Lowell and surrounding communities after the city saw four fatal overdoses in the span of 12 hours Thursday. The city’s fire department said in an advisory late Thursday morning that it is believed the overdoses were sparked by fentanyl being mixed in with heroin and cocaine. “There appears to be a lethal batch of opiates in the Greater Lowell area,” Fire Chief Jeffrey Winward said in the statement. “We strongly urge people not to use opiates, but if you or your loved one is suffering from addiction, please be extra vigilant in the coming days. Do not use alone, check on your loved ones frequently if they may be using opiates, and call 911 immediately if you witness an overdose.”

The fire chief told Boston.com that typically the city will see one fatal overdose in a week.

Four in one day, he said, is “very, very unusual and very troubling.”

Since the advisory was issued, Winward said Lowell public safety agencies haven’t been called to any overdoses.

Lowell saw a surge in overdoses over three days in February. According to The Lowell Sun, it is the third time ever that a sudden increase in overdoses has prompted city officials to issue public warnings.