Marion first-responders are trying to fight a serious heroin epidemic. Police arrested eleven people yesterday for peddling a new, potent form called "Blue Drop" heroin. Investigators say heroin is being mixed with the powerful painkiller Fentanyl to make blue drop, which is 30 to 50 times more powerful than pure heroin. It is blamed for 32 overdoses and at least two deaths this month. Mayor Scott Schertzer hopes the arrests will halt the epidemic.
Schertzer also says his city needs help in its fight.
The Ohio Department of Health has sent extra doses of the overdose drug Narcan to the Marion Fire Department because it was running low. The two people whose deaths are blamed on the laced heroin are identified as 31-year-old Christopher Wolford and 19-year-old Bailey Witzel.