Police issue warning after laced marijuana results in numerous overdoses

Several Massachusetts Police Departments have issued a warning for marijuana laced with fentanyl.

The Connecticut State Lab recently confirmed the presence of fentanyl in a marijuana sample after numerous people who reported only using marijuana overdosed.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid typically used to treat severe pain. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, fentanyl is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine, and has been linked to overdoses and deaths.

“With the recent discovery of marijuana laced with fentanyl in state labs it is important to remember the warning signs of an overdose,” Rockport Police Chief Horvath said. “Residents should remain cautious. People who consume one drug often do not realize they are consuming a more-powerful drug until it is too late.”

The Rockport Police Department wishes to share the following symptoms, which may be signs of an overdose:

Small, constricted pupils
Falling asleep or loss of consciousness
Slow, shallow breathing
Choking or gurgling sounds
A limp body
Pale, blue or cold skin

If residents notice someone that they believe is experiencing an overdose, they should immediately dial 9-1-1 and administer Narcan if available. Narcan, otherwise known as Naloxone, is an opioid antagonist that can reverse the effects of a potentially fatal overdose by displacing the drug from the receptors in the brain. Narcan is available for purchase without a prescription at most pharmacies, and health insurance can be used to offset the cost.