Police Alarmed By Spike In Heroin Overdose Deaths

Montgomery County police carMontgomery County Police are concerned about a recent spike of heroin overdose deaths with no apparent pattern.

At least seven overdose deaths have been directly attributed to heroin since March of this year. Six of the seven deaths have occurred since June 14. The seven deaths equal the total number of heroin overdose deaths in the county in 2010, 2011, and 2012 combined.

“The dangers of using illegal drugs are always present but this recent spike in deaths attributed to heroin is particularly alarming,” Captain Marcus Jones, director of the Major Crimes Division, said in the county’s press release.

The deaths have occurred all over the county and the victims range in age from 19 to 45.

On June 29, police reported the overdose death of a 25-year-old woman in the 5000 block of Folkstone Road in Bethesda.

Other heroin overdose deaths have been reported in Gaithersburg, Rockville and Silver Spring.

Capt. Nancy Demme, director of the county’s narcotics detectives, said seizures of heroin have increased in the county and neighboring jurisdictions.

“This is not a problem that is confined to Montgomery County,” Demme said in the release.

Police are asking anyone with information about these cases to contact the Special Investigations Division at 240-773-5959.

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