Cumberland Fire Chief Donnie Dunn knows the local heroin problem isn't going away.
“It's a problem and it's going to be here," the chief said. “I don't see any solutions. It's unfortunate." Overdoses involving heroin have become routine calls for the Cumberland Fire Department.
“The calls could be anywhere. They involve people of all ages and all income levels,” Dunn said.
Each drug overdose call — usually involving heroin — requires an ambulance and an engine company response.
“That means four people on each of the calls and each call takes at least an hour from the time of the call until the units are back in service,” Dunn said.
In some cases, the overdosed person regains consciousness and leaves prior to the arrival of the ambulance. And, on some calls, Dunn said the patient doesn't want to go to the hospital.
“Some of the calls involve patients who are combative and we have to wait until Cumberland Police control the situation until we can administer aid,” Dunn said.