AMHERST, Ohio — Amherst police are concerned about an influx of heroin and other illegal drugs in their suburban community following four drug-related incidents in the past few days.
Heroin deaths are on the rise in many areas, including Cuyahoga County.
Amherst police said three teenagers overdosed on heroin and a 13-year-old admitted selling marijuana in school for almost two years.
"We need your help," Lt. Dan Jasinski said. "We need you, as parents and family to pay attention to your children and other family members. Check their bedrooms. Look for contraband. If contraband is found, more than likely they are on their way to being an addict. You need to act immediately. They cannot stop on their own. They will need your support."
On Friday, police were called to Amherst Junior High School after school officials were told a 13-year-old student was selling marijuana. He was turned over to juvenile authorities on charges of trafficking drugs in school and possession of marijuana.
Police said he admitted he had been selling marijuana to other students for 18 months and had also sold marijuana while attending Nord Middle School. Three other junior high students were also charged with marijuana-related offenses.
All four were released to a parent pending their court appearance.
On Sunday, a 17-year-old girl and her 18-year-old former boyfriend overdosed on an illegal drug. Police went to the house where renter Michelle Fitch, 39, said she found the girl upstairs and administered a shot of Narcan "because she thought the girl was dead." Narcan is used as an antidote to opiate overdoses. It is unclear why Fitch had Narcan.
While police were at the house, Fitch screamed when she found Tyler Young lying on the floor in the kitchen. Both teenagers were treated at the scene. Tyler was taken to the Mercy Medical Center for treatment.
"Fitch was cooperative with police officers," according to a news release. "A search of the bedroom located drug instruments used to administer the drug. A search of where the male was lying on the floor revealed more drug instruments. Fitch advised she had gone to classes to learn how to administer Narcan when there is an opiate overdose."
On Monday at 1:32 a.m., just six hours after the previous incident, police went to a house where a 20-year-old man was unresponsive and barely breathing.
Kelly Waldon told police her son, Ross Waldon, was staying with her while "battling a heroin addiction" and she heard a "gasping noise" from the basement.
"Kelly went downstairs and found Ross unconscious, unresponsive, and no longer breathing," according to a police report. "He regained consciousness and started to breathe again."
Ross was transported to Mercy Hospital for treatment.
At 1:30 p.m. Monday, police went to Nord Middle School where a student had a marijuana joint in a cigarette pack in his book bag.
The student said it was not his.
Police asked anyone with information about the use of heroin or other illegal drugs to call them at 440-988-2625.