Three more people in St. Tammany Parish have died of suspected opioid overdoses in the last week.
The St. Tammany Parish Coroner’s Office says those deaths have all happened since last Sunday, when coroner Charles Preston announced the three original deaths. According to Dr. Preston, the first happened Monday in the western part of the parish. The other two, Dr. Preston says, happened sometime between Friday and Saturday in Lacombe.
“Although toxicology reports will take some time, all three of these deaths are very likely due to opioid overdoses,” Dr. Preston said in a press release. “Our office and agencies around the country are finding the toxic opioid Fentanyl in many other street drugs.”
Dr. Preston provided a statistic that highlights how much of a problem opioid overdoses have become in St. Tammany Parish.
“Substance abuse deaths now outnumber both natural and trauma deaths in the last 11 days,” Dr. Preston said. “These are 100-percent preventable deaths. People with addictions and their loved ones would be advised to keep Narcan on-hand, as it can reverse the effects of many overdoses if administered quickly. Those with addiction problems seeking help should call 988. As always, if it didn’t come from a pharmacy, you shouldn’t put it in your body.”
