The Portland Police Bureau does not typically release information on death investigations. However, we believe that doing so in this circumstance could lead to saved lives, and so it is warranted.
On Sunday, March 6, 2022, Officers responded to a suspected overdose death of a high-school-aged juvenile. In the teen’s possession was suspected fentanyl pills commonly known as “M30s.”
The next day, on Monday, March 7, 2022, officers responded to another suspected overdose death of a high-school-aged juvenile. In the teen’s possession were pills that were suspected to be fentanyl pills. These pills looked similar to the ones found on Sunday.
Investigators with Portland Police Bureau’s Narcotics and Organized Crime Unit are working in partnership with its local and federal law enforcement partners, the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office, and the Multnomah County Medical Examiner’s Office to track down the source of these pills and prevent another overdose death. The Medical Examiner will determine cause of death; toxicology reports take considerable time and therefore, this is preliminary information.
PPB is releasing photos of M30 pills. If you find any such pills, do not handle them and immediately contact authorities.
“The loss of the life of a child is beyond tragic, especially when it is suspected to be through something that is so preventable,” said Acting Chief Mike Frome. “We will do everything we can to further this investigation, but we also need the community’s assistance in spreading the word that these illegal pills can kill. Even just one pill is lethal.”
For information on prevention, intervention, or talking with your children about the dangers of accidental overdose, please follow this link to the Multnomah County page on counterfeit opioid pills https://www.multco.us/multnomah-county/news/health-officials-warn-rise-deaths-counterfeit-pills
In order to protect the identity of the juveniles involved in the two overdose deaths and provide privacy for their loved ones, no further information will be released by the Portland Police Bureau.
If you need to talk or are concerned about someone you know, there are teens and professionals here to help.
Multnomah County Crisis Line (https://multco.us/mhas/mental-health-crisis-intervention): 503-988-4888. Call in crisis or just to talk, for yourself or to support someone you know. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Oregon Youthline: 877-968-8491
Teen-to-teen crisis support and help line. Teens can also text Teen2Teen to 839863.
Photograph: M30 Pills
Photograph: Lethality Dose of Fentanyl
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