NORTH VERNON, Ind. — Law enforcement agencies in Jennings and Jackson Counties responded to 21 overdose reports Tuesday night. There was one death, but it has not been confirmed that it was caused by overdose.
Officials are blaming heroin, laced with the powerful painkiller Fentanyl. Fentanyl is used to manage chronic pain, or as treatment for cancer patients. It can come in the form of skin patches, nasal spray, pills, lozenges and shots. The drug was developed in the 1960s but was not widely used for pain management until the 1990s.
In Jackson County, all 11 overdoses occurred between 6-8 p.m. Later Tuesday night, police arrested Michael Purvis as the suspected supplier.
In Jennings County, 10 more overdoses were reported. A 52-year-old woman was given Narcan and transported to St. Vincent Jennings Hospital where she was pronounced dead. Police arrested Jarvee Williams, 23, Damon Clark, 25, Caleb Barton, 18, and Devin Fear, 21, all of North Vernon all for drug violations.
The Indiana State Police are working with the Jennings County Sheriff’s Department and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department to find the source of the lethal drugs.
