Marijuana seized in Painesville Township overdoses wasn't laced with opiates

PAINESVILLE TOWNSHIP, Ohio - Lake County officials have determined that three people who claimed they overdosed on marijuana laced with an unknown opiate actually used crack cocaine and other drugs. Lab tests confirmed that the marijuana seized during three...

Marijuana seized in Painesville Township overdoses wasn't laced with opiates

PAINESVILLE TOWNSHIP, Ohio - Lake County officials have determined that three people who claimed they overdosed on marijuana laced with an unknown opiate actually used crack cocaine and other drugs.

Lab tests confirmed that the marijuana seized during three separate overdose investigations was not laced with an opiate such as heroin or fentanyl, the Painesville Township Fire Department said on Facebook.

"Lab results did find crack cocaine and other drugs in the residence," fire officials said in the post. "Sometimes people are not honest with us about what they have taken or used."

The department issued a warning last week after three people claimed they overdosed on marijuana laced with an unknown opiate late Tuesday and early Wednesday.

Fire department paramedics revived all three with Narcan, a life-saving opioid overdose antidote, Chief Frank Whittaker said Thursday. Officials have clarified whether the three used heroin, fentanyl or other opioids before the paramedics revived them with Narcan.

Follow-up tests on the marijuana revealed that it was not laced with opiates.

Law enforcement officials are still concerned that other drugs could be laced with opiates such as heroin or fentanyl. U.S. Attorney Carole Rendon said investigators believe that a string of recent overdose deaths in the Cleveland area are linked to cocaine that is laced with those drugs.

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