Crack down on opioid overdose death investigations

In response to the National Opioid Epidemic, the state of Mississippi is strengthening death investigations stemming from drug overdoses. From now on, agents with the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics will be at the scene of every suspected overdose state-wide.

After nearly dying from an opioid addiction, Moss Point resident Charlton Thompson has put drugs behind him. Even though Thompson has been clean for ten years, the memory of having an overdose will scar him forever. “Thinking it was the last breath, thinking that that was it and everything that happened in your life flashing through your mind all at the same time.”

Nearly three hundred Mississippians died last year overdosing from opioids. Officials say two-thirds of those deaths were from prescription pills or heroin. One resident said, “I was at a motel, with my so-called friends.  I shot some heroin. I OD’d and everyone that was there was scared to call the law.”

Agents with the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics will now respond to the scene of every suspected drug overdose death state-wide. Bureau Director John Dowdy tells News 25 this will help coroners and medical examiners report deaths that stem from opioid overdoses. “The quicker we can get into a crime scene situation like that we can start doing analysis of potential evidence that is there and the more successful we can potentially be.”

In addition to the recent announcement, MBN has also made a way to report the overdose deaths online, implementing a faster and simpler way to keep track of the data. “I think it will give us a more up close and personal look at the actuality of the people that are losing their lives,” said Thompson.

“So many young people, not just young, old people, too, they’re dying and it’s just very important.”

In 2016, opioid overdoses claimed the lives of more than 42,000 Americans. If you are suffering from an opioid addiction there are many ways to get help. One local phone number to call is the Aruka House at 251-550-0679.