N.H. boy, 6, believed to be state’s youngest OD case
Child was revived by Narcan dose
MANCHESTER, N.H. — Firefighters sprayed Narcan up the nose of a 6-yearold boy this week, reviving the unconscious child from a suspected opioid poisoning — a traumatic event that, according to authorities, could be the youngest overdose victim ever in the Granite State’s biggest city.
“The fact is that it’s a kid that could be our own kids’ age,” said Christopher Hickey, who oversees the Manchester Fire Department’s emergency medical services. “It is the youngest suspected OD we’ve had in the city ever. None of the guys can remember anyone younger, really not even anyone close to that age.”
Hickey said firefighters went to an apartment on Conant Street on Tuesday at 6 a.m., and found the child “unconscious, barely breathing” on a bedroom floor showing “symptoms of some sort of opioid overdose,” Hickey told the Herald yesterday.
He added the unidentified boy at first wasn’t responding to the Narcan nasal spray, but then began gaining consciousness in the ambulance on the way to Catholic Medical Center.
The boy threw up multiple times at the hospital and because of that was transferred to Elliot Hospital, Hickey said.
When firefighters first arrived at the apartment, the boy’s mother was crying hysterically. An adult male was also at the home, but Hickey did not know if that was the boy’s father.
Police yesterday said detectives are still investigating and did not announce any charges.
The boy has been placed in the care of family members and remains hospitalized, police said yesterday.
Neighbors were flustered with the devastating news, with some demanding answers and accountability.
“To me, it’s sad this had to happen to a 6-year-old kid. The parents should be a lot more responsible,” said Alan Pellerin, 62, who lives nearby. “I think the child should be with his grandparents or other relatives, and the parents should either get help or go to jail.”
Neighbor Rebecka Ayers called the overdose of the boy “heartbreaking” and “tragic.” She said parents who use illegal or prescription drugs have to be aware they’re endangering their children. “It’s pretty sad to know you’re irresponsible enough to leave your drugs near your kid. ... Keep it out of your kid’s reach,” Ayers said.
Hickey said firefighters administer Narcan to overdosing people three to four times a day.
“It is the worst-case scenario affecting other innocent members of the family,” Hickey said. “We did our jobs and got the best possible outcome.”
Relatives of the boy could not be reached yesterday. A woman with a number listed at the address where the incident occurred told the Herald, “No comment.”