News release from the Fort Wayne Police Department:
Drug Overdose/Narcotics Investigation
DATE: March 31, 2016
TIME: Approximately 1200
TYPE OF INCIDENT: Drug Overdose / Narcotics Investigation
VICTIM(S): Male White, 18 Years Old
HOSPITAL: Parkview Regional Medical Center
BRIEF SUMMARY OF INCIDENT and/or ARREST:
On Thursday, March 31, 2016 at approximately 1200 hours, Fort Wayne Police Department Vice and Narcotics Detectives were alerted to a drug overdose case involving a person who had taken a synthetic benzodiazepine. The victim, a male white, 18 years old, admitted to having taken a drug that was reported to him as Xanax and was taken to Parkview Regional Medical Center for treatment. He was listed in stable condition. Upon further investigation the drug involved appeared very similar in shape, size and color to actual Xanax, but when tested did not come back as same.
In the last sixteen days there have been other overdose cases involving what appears to be a similar synthetic benzodiazepine. In these two cases pills were discovered at the scene that look similar to 10mg Xanax pills, but are most likely a synthetic benzodiazepine manufactured to look like Xanax. In these two cases both subjects that ingested this drug did not survive.
This press release is going out to warn the public that any street drug represented as 10mg of Xanax could likely be a different synthetic benzodiazepine that could quickly cause an overdose that results in death. Synthetic benzodiazepines can be very fast acting and can cause respiratory failure and death. This information is also directed to alert teenagers and young adults as this appears to be the target age group for this drug.
This investigation is ongoing.
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