The Franklin County Coroner's Office is reporting five overdose deaths over a 12-hour period.
Authorities say between 2:30 Tuesday afternoon and shortly after midnight 5 people died in south and southwestern Columbus. the toxicology team is trying to confirm if those deaths are fentanyl-related. Similar surges in Cleveland and Norwood, Ohio earlier this month involved fentanyl-laced cocaine or heroin.
The Coroner's Office is reminding people that Naloxone, the drug that reverses opiate overdoses is now available at pharmacies without a prescription. The county Health Department, along with Project DAWN (Deaths Avoided With Naloxone) also provides free naloxone and training. More information on those locations is available at Project DAWN.