Mass drug overdose in California kills 1 person and leaves 12 more hospitalized

[Eugene]

Source: CNN

Mass drug overdose in California kills 1 person and leaves 12 more hospitalized

By Chris Boyette and Holly Yan, CNN
Updated 1737 GMT (0137 HKT) January 13, 2019

(CNN) — A mass drug overdose at a home in Chico, California, has killed one person and sent more than a dozen people to hospitals, police said.

Chico Police Chief Michael O'Brien said the main substance involved is believed to be fentanyl -- the most commonly used drug in overdoses, according to a recent government report.

The overdose was reported to authorities around at 9:12 a.m. Saturday morning, CNN affiliate KHSL-TV reported.

Chico Fire Department Division Chief Jesse Alexander told the station it was the largest mass casualty incident he had seen in years. He described seeing six people undergoing CPR at the same time.

-snip-

O'Brien said investigators believe the overdoses were caused by ingestion of some form of fentanyl and another substance that has not yet been identified. One man was pronounced dead at the scene, and 12 adults were hospitalized.

-snip-

Read more: https://edition.cnn.com/2019/01/13/health/california-mass-drug-overdose/index.html

[targetpractice]

1. This clip from the article is strange...

"Two officers who responded to the scene also went to a hospital after they said they felt the effects of a drug similar to fentanyl, KHSL-TV reported. Both officers were treated and released."

[MissB]

2. Why is it strange?

A person can overdose just by touching a small amount of the drug.

[targetpractice]

7. Not likely. I found the following article...

Likely a "nocebo" effect...

I didn't think this was possible, so the facts in the article seemed strange to me. I didn't even know such a claim was a thing.

"You Can’t Overdose on Fentanyl by Touching It"
"The opioid isn't easily absorbed through the skin, no matter what viral headlines say."

https://tonic.vice.com/en_us/article/8xk4jk/touching-fentanyl-absorbed-through-skin

[clementine613]

3. Just another day in Trump's America

.

[ansible]

5. Been going on here long before Trump

The drug epidemic in California is getting terrible. I don't know anyone anymore who's not on some sort of drug, either legal or otherwise.

[clementine613]

9. Maybe, maybe not...

... but Trump has only made the situation worse. He hasn't lifted a finger to help anyone struggling with opioid addiction. These deaths are on him and all Rethugs.

[Leith]

4. It's one thing after another for Chico, CA

But this does not make sense:

Chico Fire Department Division Chief Jesse Alexander told the station it was the largest mass casualty incident he had seen in years.

Except for almost 50 dead in wildfires scarcely 2 months ago? ffs, they had to flee their homes in middle of the night!

It's all horrible.

[Demovictory9]

6. Poor Chico

[jeffreyi]

8. Butte County is hurting Big Time.