Multiple overdose-related calls kept Portsmouth police busy, showing how quickly these situations can shift from medical emergency to criminal case—or a chance for help.
🚑 REVIVED BEFORE POLICE ARRIVED
Officers were called to 17th Street for a reported overdose.
By the time they got there, the man was already awake after people in the home administered Narcan.
He declined further medical treatment, and officers left him in the care of sober individuals at the scene.
⚖️ SECOND OVERDOSE ENDS IN ARREST
A separate call on Meadow Lane came in with a caller unsure if a man was even breathing.
When officers arrived, he was alert—but the situation took a turn.
Police discovered he had a probation holder, seized narcotics at the scene, and took him into custody.
He was booked into the Scioto County Jail.
🧠 THIRD CALL BRINGS IN HELP, NOT HANDCUFFS
On Dewey Avenue, a parent called asking for help with a daughter who was reportedly high on drugs and refusing to leave the home.
Instead of an arrest, officers contacted the Quick Response Team (QRT), and counselors responded to handle the situation.
👀 THREE CALLS, THREE DIFFERENT OUTCOMES
These incidents highlight how overdose calls don’t all end the same way:
- Some end with life-saving Narcan
- Some uncover warrants or drug charges
- Others become opportunities for treatment and intervention
It all depends on the situation when officers arrive.
⚠️ A QUICK REMINDER
If someone may be overdosing:
- Call 911 immediately
- Give Narcan if available
- Stay with them until help arrives
Because in these cases, minutes matter—and outcomes can go in very different directions.