Austin-Travis County EMS and the Austin Police Department responded to multiple overdose incidents on Monday, April 29, 2024, many of which were concentrated in the downtown area. Around 30 patients were treated across the city, four of whom were pronounced deceased. Patients who were transported to local hospitals responded well to Narcan administration, increasing the likelihood that the substance ingested was some kind of opiate.
“We’ve been passing out Narcan kits and teaching people how to use them to empower our community members to help us save lives,” said ATCEMS Assistant Chief Steve White. “Opioid overdoses are easy to recognize, Narcan is simple to administer, and, with everyone’s help, we can raise awareness and keep our community safe.”
Several of the patients treated for overdoses reported to paramedics that they thought they were taking a non-opioid narcotic.
“We are seeing opiates like fentanyl being used in almost every counterfeit drug on the market, and it can have devastating effects,” said ATCEMS Chief Medical Officer and EMS System Medical Director Dr. Mark Escott. “You should never use any medication that has not been prescribed to you by a physician and dispensed by a licensed pharmacy. It’s just not worth the risk.”
APD’s Organized Crime Division Narcotics Support Unit is investigating the source of the illicit narcotics and working to identify the potential dealer or dealers. Anyone found responsible for distributing the illicit drugs faces potential charges of murder and/or manufacture or delivery of controlled substance causing death or serious bodily injury.
Under Texas state law, drug dealers can be charged with murder if they provide fentanyl to a person who overdoses and dies.
