Five females New Jersey Mall workers were found in the mall parking garage with an overdose of fentanyl, police said.
The women, who were not named, were resuscitated with CPR and Narcan around 5:30 p.m. when they overdosed on the dangerous drug around 5:30 p.m. on the lower level of the Shops at Riverside parking garage in Hackensack New York Post.
Four of the five women were taken to hospital for treatment, all working at the mall
Four of the five women were taken to a nearby hospital, but their condition is unclear as of Friday. The fifth woman refused treatment at the scene, according to authorities.
All five are between 29 and 41 years old, fox 5 reports.
Authorities said they believe the women – who all work at the mall – have been taking the deadly opioid fentanyl.
#NEWS: 5 mall workers – all women – rushed to hospital after overdosing on fentanyl in a New Jersey parking garage pic.twitter.com/HsXkD6iXBq
— 44vibe News (@44vibeTV) March 17, 2023
“I want to assure the community that we are already investigating this matter thoroughly to find the source of this dangerous substance and will do everything in our power to prosecute those responsible to the fullest extent of the law,” he said The Hackensack police said the responsible department head Captain Michael Antista.
Authorities are investigating the “source of this dangerous substance” and are threatening to arrest the traffickers of the victims
He added: “I would like to thank the great men and women at Hackensack Police Department for their quick response and for once again demonstrating their competence in times of crisis.”
Fentanyl is usually mixed with another drug, namely heroin, which provides users with a stronger high. But even people with high tolerances often become victims and die from the drug.
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There is enough fentanyl in this picture to kill an adult. Now you know! pic.twitter.com/iraJr9jd7z
— Chef Cooke (@ReefSixtyNine69) March 7, 2023
The mayor says the sheriff’s office and the district attorney are cooperating on the investigation
Hackensack Mayor John Labrosse said the city is cooperating with the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office and the Bergen County Attorney’s Office in the investigation.
“It is truly heartbreaking to see the terrible toll these illegal and dangerous substances are taking,” said Labrosse.
If you or someone you know is struggling with a drug problem, please call the SAMHSA National Helpline 1-800-662-4357 for confidential free help from public health officials for drug use treatment and information receive.
