Crime & Safety

North Reading is Not Immune to Heroin Problem

Police see issues related to heroin and opiates regularly in North Reading.

North Reading Police Chief Michael Murphy said heroin addiction is not just happening outside of North Reading's borders. 

The heroin death of Philip Seymour Hoffman has been getting plenty of press coverage and law enforcement has seen a spike in heroin-related deaths over the past two weeks.

Murphy said North Reading Police see drug addiction in town, specifically opiates and heroin.

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Murphy said one recent report claimed that opioid overdoses in eastern Massachusetts are the highest in the nation. 

Narcan is a drug that can reverse an opioid and heroin overdose, said Murphy. The chief said narcan is administered by North Reading firefighters about once a month on average.

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“That average can be somewhat misleading due to Narcan or Naloxone being available by prescription and sold at area pharmacies. In many instances, Narcan is being administered by drug users to other drug users who have possibly overdosed prior to the first responders arrival,” said Murphy.

Murphy said North Reading Police is working with the North Reading Community Impact Team, other local police departments, health care workers and other officials to address opiate and heroin addiction.


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