The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is working with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBl) and local coroners on a cluster of drug overdoses and possible related deaths that have occurred in Northwest Georgia since January 29, 2023, including a woman from Menlo who was found dead in Walker County this week.

Dr. Gary Voccio with the Northwest Georgia Department of Public Health says that this is a cluster of concern due to deaths that occurred from suspected fentanyl or another drug item used in Georgia and is a serious public health threat.

People reportedly passed out and needed immediate medical attention after using the drug(s) involved. Drugs with fentanyl are extremely potent and patients have required massive doses of naloxone to counteract the effects. It is suspected that this drug is HIGHLY DANGEROUS and should not be handled. It could possibly be inhaled or absorbed through the skin and are extremely toxic in even the smallest quantities.

Public health officials say based on the information known at this time, they are aware of at least 3 deaths that may be related to this drug cluster. They say these numbers will change as they determine if reported cases are truly related to the cluster, and as new reports are received.

The Northwest Georgia Department of Public Health is telling first responders that early recognition of symptoms and the need for decisive action is critical to protecting responders when there is a suspected opioid overdose or when first responders enter an environment where fentanyl or other drugs may be present.

Dr. Voccio said, “I am sharing this same information with all community partners because of the critical need for awareness among all of us, in order to protect to save lives”.