Tag:

Opioid Overdose

Enough Fentanyl To Kill 3.5M People Seized From 'Major Trafficker's' Bellport Home, DA Says Enough Fentanyl To Kill 3.5M People Seized From 'Major Trafficker's' Bellport Home, DA Says
Enough Fentanyl To Kill 3.5M People Seized From 'Major Trafficker's' Bellport Home, DA Says Authorities seized enough fentanyl to kill millions of people from the Long Island home of a major drug trafficker, prosecutors said. Remon Gibson, age 43, of Bellport, was indicted for operating as a major trafficker and related charges in Suffolk County Court on Wednesday, Oct. 9. It came after members of the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Fentanyl Task Force executed a search warrant at Gibson’s Sunburst Lane residence on Wednesday, Sept. 25. According to prosecutors, officers found over 15 pounds of fentanyl, over 17 pounds of cocaine in brick form, and over a pound of xylazine, …
This Top Westchester Official Named Recipient Of Prestigious Award This Top Westchester Official Named Recipient Of Prestigious Award
This Top Westchester Official Named Recipient Of Prestigious Award A top-ranking Westchester County official has received a prestigious award for her leadership abilities.  Westchester County Health Commissioner Sherlita Amler has been named the 2024 recipient of New York Medical College's William Cullen Bryant Award, county officials announced on Thursday, Oct. 3.  The award, named after the college's founder, recognizes those who show seminal leadership in health care, science, education, business, or the arts and was also bestowed to Amler's husband, Robert Amler, the college's Vice President of Government Affairs.  The awards were …
Westfield Man Gave Woman Laced Drugs Leading To Her Overdose: DA Westfield Man Gave Woman Laced Drugs Leading To Her Overdose: DA
Westfield Man Gave Woman Laced Drugs Leading To Her Overdose: DA A Westfield man is accused of causing a woman's death after he sold her a drug stronger than fentanyl, but told her it was far less harmful, authorities said.  Christopher Halla, 42, is charged with manslaughter and tampering with evidence in the death of a 57-year-old South Hadley woman in May, the Northwestern District Attorney's Office said.  Investigators allege the woman tried to buy oxycodone from Halla, but he gave her a pill laced with metonitazene, a synthetic opioid far more potent than fentanyl. Fentanyl is the leading cause of the opioid overdose epidemi…
'Not Justice': Family Angered After Drug Dealer Behind Copiague Man's Death Dodges Prison 'Not Justice': Family Angered After Drug Dealer Behind Copiague Man's Death Dodges Prison
'Not Justice': Family Angered After Drug Dealer Behind Copiague Man's Death Dodges Prison Prosecutors and relatives are outraged after an admitted drug dealer was allowed to dodge prison despite selling the fentanyl that killed a Long Island man. Omar Aitcheson, age 31, of North Amityville, pleaded guilty to multiple counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance in Suffolk County Court on Tuesday, Aug. 13. According to prosecutors, Aitcheson sold a mix of fentanyl and tramadol to three Copiague men who thought they were buying cocaine in October 2023. Earlier Report: Deadly Cocktail: Long Island Dealer's Fentanyl Mix Kills Man, Causes 2 Other Overdoses, DA Says Fen…
Rockland County To Give Away Narcan Through Paramedics Under New Program Rockland County To Give Away Narcan Through Paramedics Under New Program
Rockland County To Give Away Narcan Through Paramedics Under New Program To stem the skyrocketing number of opioid overdoses and deaths, Rockland County has implemented a program in which first responders can provide Narcan to the public when responding to overdose calls. Rockland County Executive Ed Day said on Wednesday, July 10, the new Leave-Behind Narcan Project enables Rockland paramedics to leave behind a free Narcan kit with any member of the public when on the scene for an emergency, including a patient, their family, or friends, or anyone on the scene who could assist in a future overdose.  In 2023, there were about 241 opioid overdoses in Rocklan…
Michael Brown Death: Bodycam Video Shows Struggle With Officers Before In-Custody CT Death Michael Brown Death: Bodycam Video Shows Struggle With Officers Before In-Custody CT Death
Michael Brown Death: Bodycam Video Shows Struggle With Officers Before In-Custody CT Death Newly released video shows a Connecticut man resisting arrest shortly before he died in police custody. The New Haven County incident happened at around 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 5, in Milford, in the Big Y Grocery Store parking lot on Boston Post Road. Milford Police said officers approached 52-year-old Michael Brown, of Bridgeport, after store employees claimed he attempted to steal $648 worth of non-food items. A Stop and Shop loss prevention employee identified Brown as the suspect. Earlier Report: Man Dies While In Milford Police Custody At the time, Brown had eight outstanding ar…
Parolee Who Sold Fentanyl-Laced Pills In Capital Region Heading Back To Slammer Parolee Who Sold Fentanyl-Laced Pills In Capital Region Heading Back To Slammer
Parolee Who Sold Fentanyl-Laced Pills In Capital Region Heading Back To Slammer One time behind bars apparently wasn’t enough for a convicted drug dealer from the region. Hason Harres, age 47, of Schenectady, was sentenced to just shy of six years in prison in Albany federal court on Wednesday, April 3. It followed his guilty plea to possessing methamphetamine and fentanyl with intent to distribute. Prosecutors said Harres admitted to possessing and/or selling more than 1,400 counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl, as well as 92 grams of methamphetamine. Fentanyl is a powerful, synthetic opioid that is 80 to 100 times stronger than morphine. Often ingested u…
Long Island Man Admits Selling Fake Pain Pills With Fentanyl, Causing 2 Fatal Overdoses Long Island Man Admits Selling Fake Pain Pills With Fentanyl, Causing 2 Fatal Overdoses
Long Island Man Admits Selling Fake Pain Pills With Fentanyl, Causing 2 Fatal Overdoses A 24-year-old from Long Island is the latest in a trio of people to admit to a scheme of selling fake pain pills that actually had fentanyl in them, leading to two overdose deaths. Devon Thurmond, a Glen Cove resident, pleaded guilty to running the scheme that caused two deaths on Friday, March 22, according to the US Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of New York. From 2021 to 2023, Thurmond conspired with two other Glen Cove residents — Cartier Funderburke, age 24, and Melissa Trimarchi, age 37 — to sell fentanyl that was disguised as oxycodone pills. One of the victims Thurmond…
Long Island Doctor Sentenced For Overprescribing Opioids, Leading To 5 Deaths Long Island Doctor Sentenced For Overprescribing Opioids, Leading To 5 Deaths
Long Island Doctor Sentenced For Overprescribing Opioids, Leading To 5 Deaths A Long Island doctor – who once ran his office out of an old Radio Shack and his car – may now spend over a decade behind bars for prescribing his patients thousands of opioid pills at a time, leading to five overdose deaths. George Blatti, age 78, of Nassau County, received his sentence of five to 15 years in prison for the deaths on Monday, Jan. 22, according to the Nassau County District Attorney. According to the investigation and his guilty plea, between 2016 and 2018, Blatti prescribed patients addicted to opioids thousands of pills – such as oxycodone, morphine, clonazepam, alprazo…
Dealers Behind Fatal ODs Would Be Charged With Manslaughter Under NY Bill: 'This Is A Crisis' Dealers Behind Fatal ODs Would Be Charged With Manslaughter Under NY Bill: 'This Is A Crisis'
Dealers Behind Fatal ODs Would Be Charged With Manslaughter Under NY Bill: 'This Is A Crisis' Drug dealers in New York could soon face manslaughter charges for selling narcotics that result in fatal overdoses. State lawmakers are considering a bill that would make selling, delivering, or otherwise administering a controlled substance eligible for manslaughter charges if someone later dies from an overdose. Under current law, a person who provides an illicit drug that results in death can typically only be charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance, a non-violent felony. Related Report: 'Gone Forever': Yonkers Mom Recounts Teen's Overdose On 'Red Table Talk' The bi…
8 Students OD On Fentanyl Days Apart In Loudoun County: Sheriff 8 Students OD On Fentanyl Days Apart In Loudoun County: Sheriff
8 Students OD On Fentanyl Days Apart In Loudoun County: Sheriff Authorities are investigating a string of overdoses at a Loudoun County high school. New information from the county sheriff's office reveals eight students suffered opioid related overdoses at Park View High School in Sterling, seven of which happened in the last three weeks. Four of the overdoses occurred in the school, three of which required the administration of Narcan, the sheriff's office said. Two of those required CPR by school personnel. All the overdoses appear to involve fentanyl, which is commonly found in the form of a counterfeit 30 mg oxycodone pill that is blue, circular, a…
Officer Suffers Fentanyl Overdose During Investigation In Hudson Valley, Police Say Officer Suffers Fentanyl Overdose During Investigation In Hudson Valley, Police Say
Officer Suffers Fentanyl Overdose During Investigation In Hudson Valley, Police Say A police officer in the region is recovering after suffering an overdose of fentanyl he was exposed to while investigating drug use in a vehicle. The incident took place in Dutchess County in the city of Poughkeepsie around 2 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 13 in the 300 block of Mill Street. During the investigation, the officer removed a “foil” containing an unknown substance from the front pocket of the man in the vehicle, said Capt. Richard Wilson of the City Of Poughkeepsie Police.  As the officer attempted to determine the contents of the foil, he began to feel signs of an alte…
Man's Body Found In Capital Region Park; Cause Of Death Revealed Man's Body Found In Capital Region Park; Cause Of Death Revealed
Man's Body Found In Capital Region Park; Cause Of Death Revealed Authorities have revealed the cause of death for a man whose body was found in a park in the region. The discovery was made shortly after 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 17, in Albany County at Cohoes’ Heart Avenue Park, located near Heartt and Park avenues. Cohoes Police said the 32-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene. His body showed no obvious signs of trauma and there was no indication of foul play, according to investigators. On Friday, Aug. 18, police told Daily Voice that an autopsy had been completed and the cause of death was determined to be a fentanyl overdose. Fentanyl is a …
Heroin-Overdosing Passenger Saved By Long Island Police Recruit On NY Flight Heroin-Overdosing Passenger Saved By Long Island Police Recruit On NY Flight
Heroin-Overdosing Passenger Saved By Long Island Police Recruit On NY Flight A Long Island police recruit ready to unwind on a California vacation sprang into action when a fellow passenger became unconscious aboard a flight from New York. Suffolk County Police recruit Richard Scriven had just boarded his flight at John F. Kennedy International Airport in Queens on Friday, July 21, bound for his sister’s wedding, when a flight attendant came on the loudspeaker asking for trained medical professionals. Scriven, a former paramedic at Stony Brook University Hospital who recently completed his five-week medical training at the police academy, answered the call, accordin…
INFANT OVERDOSE: Judge Frees Bergen Woman Charged With Endangerment After Baby Ingests Opioid INFANT OVERDOSE: Judge Frees Bergen Woman Charged With Endangerment After Baby Ingests Opioid
Infant Overdose: Judge Frees Bergen Woman Charged With Endangerment After Baby Ingests Opioid A 23-year-old Bergen County woman was arrested after a 6-month-old child ingested and overdosed on an opioid, authorities said. Alia Elsafy of North Arlington was initially jailed, but a Superior Court judge in Hackensack almost immediately ordered her release on Friday, May 26, under New Jersey's bail reform law, records show. She’s charged with one count of child endangerment. The infant survived the May 19 overdose, which Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said was immediately reported to members of his Special Victims Unit by the state Division of Child Protection and Permanency. W…
Long Island Man Sold Fentanyl-Laced Pills To Undercover Cop, Jury Finds Long Island Man Sold Fentanyl-Laced Pills To Undercover Cop, Jury Finds
Long Island Man Sold Fentanyl-Laced Pills To Undercover Cop, Jury Finds A Long Island man was convicted by a jury of his peers for selling pills laced with fentanyl at an LIRR train station. Anthony Alexander, age 57, of Deer Park, was found guilty Thursday, March 30, of selling the opioid-laced pills under the guise that they were oxycodone, the Suffolk County DA said. Alexander sold what he said were oxycodone pills to an undercover investigator two times in January 2022. Subsequent testing of the pills sold to the investigator revealed that they were fentanyl, not oxycodone. Police arrested Alexander on January 20, 2022, at the Babylon train station. Inves…
Dealer Sold Deadly 'Fetty Mix' To Long Island Woman Who Overdosed, DA Says Dealer Sold Deadly 'Fetty Mix' To Long Island Woman Who Overdosed, DA Says
Dealer Sold Deadly 'Fetty Mix' To Long Island Woman Who Overdosed, DA Says An accused drug dealer is facing multiple charges in connection to a Long Island woman’s overdose death. Jaquan Casserly, age 34, of Holbrook, was arraigned in Suffolk County Court Friday, Jan. 27, months after allegedly selling fentanyl to a Lake Grove woman who later died, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office. Police were called to the woman’s home on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022 with reports of an apparent overdose. The woman’s mother found her unresponsive in a bathroom, according to investigators. Officers administered Narcan, which is used to reverse the effects of a…
State Trooper Suffers Opioid Exposure After Overdose Crash On NY Highway, Police Say State Trooper Suffers Opioid Exposure After Overdose Crash On NY Highway, Police Say
State Trooper Suffers Opioid Exposure After Overdose Crash On NY Highway, Police Say A New York State Police trooper was hospitalized for possible opioid exposure while responding to a suspected overdose crash on a state highway. State Police on Long Island were initially called at around 1:15 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 12, with reports of an erratic driver in Hempstead, heading southbound on the Wantagh State Parkway near Hempstead Turnpike. When troopers arrived, they found the vehicle disabled after a crash. The driver, 35-year-old Jaqueline Ann Morales, of East Meadow, was unresponsive and suffering symptoms believed to be an opioid overdose, police said. The troopers admini…
Toddler Overdoses On Opioids, Jersey Shore Couple Charged With Endangering: Prosecutor Toddler Overdoses On Opioids, Jersey Shore Couple Charged With Endangering: Prosecutor
Toddler Overdoses On Opioids, Jersey Shore Couple Charged With Endangering: Prosecutor A Wall Township couple has been charged with endangerment after their toddler overdosed on suspected opioids in the family home, authorities said. Sharek White, 46, and Alexis Mistretta, 37, were charged with one count of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, according to Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago. On Monday, Oct. 18, Wall Township police were called to a residence on the 1100 block of 17th Avenue for a suspected overdose. Police found an unresponsive toddler, nearly 2 years of age, with lifesaving efforts already in progress…
NY Health Commissioner Orders All Pharmacies To Carry Overdose Medication Naloxone NY Health Commissioner Orders All Pharmacies To Carry Overdose Medication Naloxone
NY Health Commissioner Orders All Pharmacies To Carry Overdose Medication Naloxone Pharmacies in New York will soon be required to carry and dispense naloxone, the medicine used to quickly reverse the life-threatening effects of an opioid overdose. The state’s health commissioner, Dr. Mary Bassett, issued a statewide standing order for all pharmacies to carry the medication and dispense it without a prescription beginning Monday, Aug. 15. “This is as close as we can get to naloxone being 'over the counter' without action being taken by the US Food and Drug Administration,” Bassett said. Often sold under the brand name Narcan, naloxone is easily administered and can help…
CT Officials Warn Of Marijuana Laced With Fentanyl After Dozens Of Overdoses CT Officials Warn Of Marijuana Laced With Fentanyl After Dozens Of Overdoses
CT Officials Warn Of Marijuana Laced With Fentanyl After Dozens Of Overdoses Health officials in Connecticut have issued a warning regarding fentanyl-laced marijuana after dozens of overdoses. The Connecticut Overdose Response Strategy and the Connecticut Department of Public Health, have recently received reports of overdose patients who have exhibited opioid overdose symptoms and required naloxone for revival.  The patients denied any opioid use and claimed to have only smoked marijuana, the department said. Recent incidents where only marijuana use was reported but naloxone was required: July 2021 – 11 cases August 2021 – nine cases September 2021 – nine …
North Jersey Dealer In OD Nabbed With 100 Heroin Folds, 70 Opioid Films, Police Say North Jersey Dealer In OD Nabbed With 100 Heroin Folds, 70 Opioid Films, Police Say
North Jersey Dealer In OD Nabbed With 100 Heroin Folds, 70 Opioid Films, Police Say The man who sold heroin to an individual who overdosed on it last month was found with more than 100 heroin folds, 70 opioid films and more, according to North Jersey authorities who arrested him. Jason Keidel, 51, of Secaucus, was arrested on March 16 and charged with possession of heroin with intent to distribute and several other drug charges, and lodged in the Hudson County Correctional Facility, Secaucus Police Chief Dennis Miller said. Police on Feb. 4 responded to the parking lot at 10 Meadowlands Parkway on reports of an overdose, Miller said. There, officers administered Nasa…
Long Island Doctor Charged With Five Counts Of Murder For Prescribing Opioids, DA Says Long Island Doctor Charged With Five Counts Of Murder For Prescribing Opioids, DA Says
Long Island Doctor Charged With Five Counts Of Murder For Prescribing Opioids, DA Says A Long Island doctor has been indicted on five counts of murder for prescription practices that led to the death of five patients between 2016 and 2018, said Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas at a news conference on Thursday, March 4 in Mineola. George Blatti, age 75, of Rockville Centre, was arrested on Thursday and charged on the five counts of murder, as well as 11 counts of reckless endangerment, the DA's Ofice said, Prosecutors believe this is the first time a doctor has been charged under New York State law with murder under the theory of depraved indifference to human l…
Free NJ Narcan Giveaway: No ID Or Script Needed Free NJ Narcan Giveaway: No ID Or Script Needed
Free NJ Narcan Giveaway: No ID Or Script Needed New Jersey will offer the opioid overdose-reversal drug Narcan for free at pharmacies later this month, authorities announced Wednesday. But be warned: Health and law enforcement professionals emphasize that nalaxone isn't a miracle drug or fallback option. Opioid users can still die depending on how much is in their system and in what combination. State residents can obtain a packet containing two doses of the nasal spray anonymously without a prescription or appointment from Sept. 24 to Sept. 26, Gov. Murphy and Human Services Commissioner Carole Johnson said. The free doses will be avai…
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Danbury Addiction, Mental Health Clinician Offers Lifesaving Message For Parents Danbury Addiction, Mental Health Clinician Offers Lifesaving Message For Parents
Danbury Addiction, Mental Health Clinician Offers Lifesaving Message For Parents Did you know if your teenager took a drug overdose, calling 911 is not enough? "Anybody who has an inkling of whether or not their child has heroin addition should make sure they have the Narcan nasal spray in their house," said Kate Powell, a co-occurring addiction and mental health clinician and the founder in 2015 of the Center for Emotional Health in Danbury. The lifesaving drug Narcan can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose when used at the first sign of overdose and is available in injection or nasal spray at most pharmacies. But before a crisis, parents who suspect drug u…
A Year Sober: Recovering Allendale Addict’s Cycle Event Supplies Narcan For Responders A Year Sober: Recovering Allendale Addict’s Cycle Event Supplies Narcan For Responders
A Year Sober: Recovering Allendale Addict’s Cycle Event Supplies Narcan For Responders A recovering heroin user from Allendale celebrated a year of sobriety by sponsoring a stationary bike ride that helped help supply borough responders with Narcan. Emily Somerville, 22, organized the “Ride for Recovery,” a 45-minute cycle class in front of Define, Body and Mind, CKO Kickboxing, Dairy Queen and Asian Cuisine last week as a celebration for those in recovery. At the same time, she raised funds to re-supply the police and ambulance corps with the life-saving anti-opioid drug. “Like all medications, Narcan does expire,” Police Chief George Scherb said. “Each Allendale officer i…
Scholarship Begun In Memory Of W. Orange Artist Lost To Opioid Addiction Scholarship Begun In Memory Of W. Orange Artist Lost To Opioid Addiction
Scholarship Begun In Memory Of W. Orange Artist Lost To Opioid Addiction Sammy Rosenblatt was a talented visual artist who died from an opioid overdose in March. He had been battling addiction for years, those who knew him say. Now his family and friends seek to honor the memory of the West Orange High School alumnus. An arts scholarship has been started in his name and the first one was recently awarded to a graduating WOHS student. His family and friends are also raising funds for Shatterproof.org, a group that aids families touched by addiction, as well as preserving his photography, illustrations and other works. The family has started a GoFundMe campaign…
Here Are Westchester County's 2019 Public Health Award Winners Here Are Westchester County's 2019 Public Health Award Winners
Here Are Westchester County's 2019 Public Health Award Winners Several people and organizations were recognized for their industry contributions at the 2019 Public Health Awards, presented by Westchester County Executive George Latimer and the Westchester County Board of Health on Monday, April 8 at White Plains High School. The event is meant to celebrate National Public Health Week, which is observed from April 1 to April 7. Stephanie Marquesano, an Ardsley mother and co-occurring mental health disorder awareness advocate, was given the Dr. Harold Keltz Distinguished Public Health Service Award by Board of Health President Robert Baker, MD. “The tra…
Norwalk Police Name Officers Of Month Norwalk Police Name Officers Of Month
Norwalk Police Name Officers Of Month The Norwalk Police Department has named its Officers of the Month for January: Sergeant Justin Bisceglie, Officer Javier Mogollon and Officer Ralph DeVito. Officials say these officers earned these awards after an incident on Saturday, Jan. 12. Sergeant Justin Bisceglie, Officer Javier Mogollon and Officer Ralph DeVito responded to a residence on the report of an unconscious person. They quickly noticed that the person was not breathing and began ventilation. The officers also determined that the individual was suffering from an overdose of opioids. Within minutes, they successfully adminis…
Hearing Set For Driver In Gas Station Crash That Killed Dad, Teenage Son, Attendant Hearing Set For Driver In Gas Station Crash That Killed Dad, Teenage Son, Attendant
Hearing Set For Driver In Gas Station Crash That Killed Dad, Teenage Son, Attendant UPDATE: A detention hearing was scheduled this Monday for a Susssex County man who authorities said overdosed on heroin before his SUV went airborne, smashing into a killing a father and son and an attendant at a gas station on Route 23 in Wayne early Tuesday. Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia Valdes said her staff will ask Superior Court Judge Ernest M. Caposela during a 10 a.m. hearing in Central Judicial Processing Court in Paterson to order 29-year-old Jason Vanderee held in the Passaic County Jail pending trial. Vanderee, of the Glenwood section of Vernon Township, was charged with th…
UPDATE: Drugged Driver In Route 23 Gas Station Crash Kills Dad, Teenage Son, Attendant UPDATE: Drugged Driver In Route 23 Gas Station Crash Kills Dad, Teenage Son, Attendant
Update: Drugged Driver In Route 23 Gas Station Crash Kills Dad, Teenage Son, Attendant UPDATE: Authorities late Tuesday identified the drugged driver in a morning crash that killed a father and son and a gas station attendant as a 29-year-old Sussex County resident. Jason Vanderee, of the Glenwood section of Vernon Township, was charged with three counts each of aggravated manslaughter and death by auto, among other offenses. A detention hearing was scheduled this Monday. SEE: https://dailyvoice.com/new-jersey/southpassaic/police-fire/hearing-set-for-driver-charged-in-gas-station-crash-that-killed-dad-teenage-son-attendant/748562/ Jon Warbeck, a former Carlstadt firefighte…