OD epidemic in Conn.
Arrest in New Haven after 30 in park suffer symptoms
Authorities in Connecticut arrested a 34-year-old man after more than 30 people were found suffering overdose symptoms near the New Haven Green.
Felix Melendez was “known” to police and was out on parole when he was arrested Wednesday afternoon, Police Chief Anthony Campbell told the New Haven Register. He was found in possession of drugs, police said.
The majority of people overdosed on suspected synthetic marijuana at the Connecticut park and another two nearby fell ill with similar symptoms about 8 a.m. on Wednesday, officials said. Three more overdoses were reported at the Green on on Tuesday night, but officials could not confirm whether they were related.
Emergency responders found people of a variety of ages suffering from a range of symptoms, including nausea, vomiting and lethargy. Some of them were unconscious at the park when officials arrived. They were transported to area hospitals including Yale-New Haven Hospital and the Hospital of Saint Raphael.
At least one patient did not initially respond to Narcan — a drug used to reverse the effects of a narcotic overdose — but higher doses administered at the hospital over a period of time resulted in improved conditions, said Yale EMS Medical Director Sandy Bogucki.
There have been no fatalities, but two patients have lifethreatening symptoms, according to authorities.
It’s not yet clear what exactly sparked the suspected mass overdose, but authorities said they received reports that people were smoking in the area. New Haven Fire Chief John Alston said the drug behind the mass overdose is likely K2 — a synthetic cannabinoid often cut with other harmful substances.
“We heard from people on the Green this morning that it could potentially be laced with PCP and some of the reactions of the patients in the emergency department would suggest it was an opioid involved as well,” Bogucki said.