WOOD Radio Local News

WOOD Radio Local News

WOOD Radio Local News

 

KCSO investigates possible drug overdose death in Gaines Township

GAINES CHARTER TOWNSHIP, Mich. -- The Kent County Sheriff's Office says a woman who was found unresponsive in the bathroom of a fast-food restaurant Saturday afternoon in Gaines Township has died.

First responders were called to the McDonalds on Kalamazoo Avenue south of 60th Street and found a 42-year-old Lowell woman unconscious. Police are awaiting autopsy results from the Medical Examiner's Office, but Sergeant Eric Brunner tells WOOD Radio an initial investigation points to a possible drug overdose as the cause of death.

"We will wait for the Kent County Medical Examiner's Office to make that final determination if it was, indeed, a drug overdose death. But we do have some paraphernalia that was found in the restroom that would lead us to believe that it is related with the death," Brunner said.

Dutton and Kentwood Fire Departments arrived along with AMR Ambulance and continued medical care, and administered two doses of Narcan. However, a short time later the woman was pronounced dead.

"This is an ongoing problem. We're seeing fentanyl mixed and cut with a lot of different types of drugs, from cocaine to methamphetamine to heroin. And this is a leading factor in many of the overdoses and deaths," Brunner said.

The Sheriff's Office says it has responded to 56 overdoses this year, including 10 deaths. Deputies responded to an average of one overdose every three-and-a-half days. That amounted to 104 overdoses last year, with 16 resulting in death. Deputies say NARCAN and other types of intervention have helped prevent

The KCSO says in a news release that "You are not alone in your addiction or the loss of loved ones from it. One resource in our community is Families Against Narcotics - Grand Rapids. You can find more information at www.familiesagainstnarcotics.org/strongertogether.  

" Our investigators are continuing to investigate the case and work with the family through this difficult time," the KCSO news release says.

"There is support for those who struggle with addiction and the families of those who walk alongside them ... So, we would just reach out to our community and let them know that there are resources available," Sgt. Brunner said.

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