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Ohio county offers immunity to those turning in deadly drugs

Newtown, Ohio Police Chief Thomas Synan Jr., a member of a drug task force in Hamilton County, Ohio, speaks at a press conference Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2016 in Cincinnati, at which coroner Dr. Lakshmi Sammarco announced toxicology reports on eight people who died of drug overdoses in July and August had the drug Carfentinal in their systems. Synan Jr. wants the state of Ohio to declare a public health emergency to free up more resources for fighting heroin after a sudden overdose spike. Behind Sammarco is Hamiliton County Sheriff Jim Neil. (Patrick Reddy/The Cincinnati Enquirer via AP)
Newtown, Ohio Police Chief Thomas Synan Jr., a member of a drug task force in Hamilton County, Ohio, speaks at a press conference Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2016 in Cincinnati, at which coroner Dr. Lakshmi Sammarco announced toxicology reports on eight people who died of drug overdoses in July and August had the drug Carfentinal in their systems. Synan Jr. wants the state of Ohio to declare a public health emergency to free up more resources for fighting heroin after a sudden overdose spike. Behind Sammarco is Hamiliton County Sheriff Jim Neil. (Patrick Reddy/The Cincinnati Enquirer via AP) Newtown, Ohio Police Chief Thomas Synan Jr., a member of a drug task force in Hamilton County, Ohio, speaks at a press conference Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2016 in Cincinnati, at which coroner Dr. Lakshmi Sammarco announced toxicology reports on eight people who died of drug overdoses in July and August had the drug Carfentinal in their systems. Synan Jr. wants the state of Ohio to declare a public health emergency to free up more resources for fighting heroin after a sudden overdose spike. Behind Sammarco is Hamiliton County Sheriff Jim Neil. (Patrick Reddy/The Cincinnati Enquirer via AP)

By Associated Press 1 min read

CINCINNATI (AP) – A county judge is granting immunity from prosecution to anyone who turns in heroin or other potentially deadly drugs after a stunning surge in overdoses in the Cincinnati area.

Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters (DEE’-turz) went to court Wednesday seeking the unusual blanket immunity. Judge Robert Ruehlman agreed, applying it to anyone who turns over any substance or combination of substances that the person believes can cause overdoses. They can take them to any law enforcement agency in the county.

Deters was accompanied in court by the county sheriff, coroner and other officials.

Authorities have said nearly 300 overdoses have been reported in the Cincinnati area since Aug. 19. The coroner’s office has confirmed the powerful animal tranquilizer carfentanil (CAHR’-fin-tin-al) was mixed with heroin used by some recent overdose casualties.