New Bedford man overdoses two days in a row

A New Bedford man in his 30s overdosed twice in as many days at his north end New Bedford home. The first overdose occurred on Wednesday, October 2 at 5:52 pm. The second overdose occurred on Thursday, October 3, at 10:14 am. There were a total of five drug overdoses in New Bedford on Wednesday ( one of them was fatal) and two non-fatal overdoses on Thursday.

While family and friends can attempt to “Section” someone who overdoses, no law currently mandates a hold of someone who overdoses in Massachusetts. Governor Baker did propose a 72-hour involuntary hold for people who overdose, but Massachusetts legislators killed that idea so people who overdosed are immediately free to leave medical care.

Overdoses can cost taxpayers thousands of dollars each as many police, EMS and fire personnel are called to the scene and medical care is administered immediately and later at the hospital.