Another deadly batch of heroin hits Seacoast

ROCHESTER - Another new, deadly batch of heroin has hit the Seacoast with multiple potentially fatal overdoses reported in Rochester and Newington.

Foster's Daily Democrat reported today that emergency personnel responded to a suspected overdose at a parking lot at Fox Run Mall. The woman refused treatment after being found "passed out" behind the wheel of her car.

Meanwhile, in Rochester, four people were treated for suspected heroin overdoses in the past two days in two separate incidents. Two were arrested for possession.

Rochester Police Capt. Gary Boudreau said on Thursday that this latest round of overdoses is the result of yet another bad batch of heroin to hit the Seacoast.

Boudreau said he suspects mid-level dealers are mixing other substances into the heroin, making for a deadly heroin cocktail.

Several victims of overdoses this week were revived using Narcan, a drug used to counter the effects of opioid overdoes, such as heroin, specifically the life-threatening depression of the central nervous system, respiratory system, and hypotension secondary to opiate overdose.

Boudreau said it can be administered intravenously or as a nasal spray.

Three victims of overdose this week in Rochester were found unresponsive and not breathing, but were revived using the drug.

Boudreau called the latest round of overdoses a "public health epidemic."