Rochester police warn of spike in overdoses

Police in the Twin Cities suburb of Roseville issued a warning Saturday about a sharp spike in drug overdoses and related deaths.

The alert follows a similar warning from Rochester police on Friday about recent fatal drug overdoses in that city.

Authorities in both cities said the source may be pills that contain the powerful synthetic opioid fentanyl.

Roseville police said a 16-year-old and a 20-year-old had died from overdoses in separate incidents in the past 24 hours. Police also reported using naloxone, or Narcan, twice in the past two days to revive people who had overdosed.

Authorities said the spike in overdoses may be due to a potent narcotic mixed with fentanyl called ‘Perc 30.’ Investigators say they are working with county and state agencies to find those dealing the drugs.

In Rochester, police are investigating the apparent overdose deaths of two men, ages 18 and 22, in the past week. They said pills seized in a drug bust in January had the appearance of oxycodone but may contain fentanyl.