Several cities continue to struggle with spiraling drug-related deaths throughout the United States. The exponential increase started in the late 1980's and has continued to rise at an alarming rate over several years. However, with the current trend, many citizens, including high-profile celebrities, have lost their lives due to the indulgence of illegal drugs.
An 11-year-old girl is latest victim
Surprisingly, one of the latest victims is an 11-year-old child. The Pennsylvania girl after a heroin overdose was revived by the antidote Narcan. Reportedly, the child was found unresponsive when a family member went to check on her in her room.
The unidentified girl lived in the Beechview neighborhood that law enforcement officials identified as a well know drug hot spot. Last February, a federal grand jury indicted a reputed drug lord, who was the leader of one of the largest opiate rings in that city.
Pittsburgh's Post-Gazette revealed that the incident occurred on Wednesday at about 6 p.m. in the evening. The family member called the 911 emergency hotline and performed CPR until paramedics showed up and administered Narcan to combat the effect of the heroin. After the child started breathing, she was taken to a nearby hospital and admitted in critical but stable condition.
Pittsburgh's drug epidemic spiraling out of control
A search of the property revealed several bags of heroin inside the girl’s room.
The investigators also indicated that the bags had the word heroin stamp on them, however, only one of the packages was open.
According to The Post-Gazette, the family has no idea of how or where the child got the drugs. They also stated that they did not know she was using the illegal substance. The news agency also reported that she is a sixth grader at the South Hills Middle School.
An official report highlighted that drug overdose deaths in Allegheny County have skyrocketed in the last eight years. Additionally, in 2016, drug-related deaths rose to 613, this figure doubles the number of drug overdose deaths reported in 2015.
However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the Naloxone medication to help combat the United State's spiraling drug overdose epidemic.
Naloxone is sold under the brand of Narcan, it effectively blocks the lethal effects of the opioids in drug overdose cases. It is widely used by emergency personnel and once administered to victims it restores their breathing within two to eight minutes.
