Crime & Safety
Oakland County Warns About Increase in Heroin Overdoses
In May a White Lake woman was transported to the hospital following a suspected heroin overdose.
The Oakland County Health Division has issued a warning about "a significant increase" in heroin-related overdoses reported to the Michigan Poison Control Center.
Just last month, a 27-year-old woman was found unresponsive in her White Lake home. White Lake Police helped to transport the woman to the hospital for a suspected heroin overdose.
While the cause for the increase remains under investigation, the Health Division noted cases outside Michigan have been tied to combining heroin with Fentanyl, described as "an extremely potent synthetic opiate analgesic" generally prescribed for severe pain.
According to a Health Department fact sheet, signs of heroin use include needle marks, loss of appetite, and unusual sleep patterns. To find resources and more information, visit the Office of Substance Abuse Services at oakgov.com.
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The following are a set of facts from the Oakland County Health Division:
What are the health effects of heroin?- Death
- Respiratory depression
- Coma
- Slow, shallow breathing
- Convulsions
- Clammy Skin
- A warm flushing of the skin
- Drowsiness
- Constricted pupils
- Nausea
- Heavy extremities
- Dry mouth
- Blue lips and fingernails
- Alternatively wakeful and drowsy states
- Restlessness
- Muscle and bone pain
- Insomnia
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Severe craving for the drug
- Cold flashes
- Supervise their child's activities, know who their friends are and monitor their surroundings.
- Look for signs of heroin use such as needle marks, loss of appetite and unusual sleep patterns.
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