Goldsboro families seeking answers after 4 found dead, raising concerns over laced drugs
"It's unknown at this time if any drugs collected at the scene of each location, if any, is laced," the Goldsboro police chief said in a statement. "That is part of the ongoing investigations, and it's too soon to say."
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Families and police in Goldsboro are looking for answers after four people have been found dead in four days – just miles apart.
A preliminary investigation reveals the deaths could be connected to drug use, and raising concerns of drugs laced with fentanyl.
The Goldsboro Police Department put out a Facebook post that overdose deaths related to tainted drugs were on the rise in the city.
"In recent days, our community has seen a rise in overdoses and deaths related to tainted drugs," the Facebook post said. "Substances like heroin and methamphetamine are being laced with potent and dangerous additives, such as fentanyl, putting users at a higher risk of overdose and death."
Addiction experts say these deaths could inform how they help other addicts in the future – and that it could serve as a tragic and scary wake-up call.
When Payne heard about a fourth death investigation potentially linked to drug use, she said it felt personal.
"I thank God because it could’ve been me," she said.
Goldsboro Police say they are looking into the possibility that fentanyl contributed to the four deaths. So far, no connection has been confirmed.
Despite millions in funding for opioid recovery, not enough resources to fight addiction
Payne says there aren't enough resources in Wayne County to fight addiction.
She was shocked to learn the county will have received more than $2.5 million through the opioid settlement funding by the end of April.
Wayne County is set to receive more than $11 million to address the crisis over the next 18 years.
Payne says she would like to see funding go toward more detox centers or housing for people battling addiction.
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