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One man is dead and two others were hospitalized after officers responded to a residence in the 2300 block of Tyler Street, according to the Beaumont Police Department (BPD).
Upon arrival at 11:33 p.m. Jan. 10, officers observed three males on the back patio unresponsive and being treated by Beaumont EMS and Fire personnel.
Officers assisted by administering Narcan to two of the victims and utilizing an AED on another victim while EMS was attempting cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). One man was pronounced deceased on the scene and two others were transported to local hospitals by EMS — both listed in critical condition.
BPD reported that a preliminary investigation revealed the victims had purchased narcotics in the form of pills and ingested them before collapsing. Detectives suspect the pills were counterfeit and laced with fentanyl.
According to BPD, fentanyl overdoses and deaths are rising.
“Counterfeit pills are made to look like prescription opioids, easy to purchase, widely available and often contain fentanyl,” BPD advised. “Taking a pill that is not purchased from a licensed pharmacy is a deadly decision. It can take less than 2 milligrams of fentanyl mixed in a counterfeit pill to kill someone.”
In 2022, the federal Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) seized more than 59.6 million fentanyl-laced fake pills and more than 13,300 pounds of fentanyl powder. The 2022 seizures are equivalent to more than 398 million lethal doses of fentanyl.
In 2023, the DEA seized more than 76 million fentanyl-laced fake pills and more than 11,900 pounds of fentanyl powder. The 2023 fentanyl seizures represent over 384 million deadly doses.
Laboratory testing indicates 7 out of every 10 pills seized by DEA contain a lethal dose of fentanyl.
For more information on the deadly fentanyl epidemic, visit www.dea.gov/ onepill.