
Austin police are currently investigating a sudden increase in suspected opioid overdoses in the Texas capital, with dozens of cases reported in just two days this week. The exact source of these overdoses remains unclear, but Assistant Police Chief Eric Fitzgerald stated that there appears to be a deadly batch of illicit narcotics circulating in the community.
Nationwide, the drug overdose crisis has been a significant concern, claiming the lives of over 100,000 Americans annually. Opioids, which are drugs designed to mimic the pain-relieving effects of opium, have been a leading cause of overdose deaths in recent years.