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7 Students Overdose, 3 Arrested in Drug Bust
9 Dec
Summary
- Three suspects arrested in connection with seven student overdoses.
- Suspects face multiple charges including drug and gun offenses.
- Overdose deaths nationally are falling, but fentanyl remains a threat.
Three individuals have been arrested and faced arraignments in Providence District Court in connection with a recent incident where seven Providence College students were hospitalized due to overdoses. The suspects, Angel Williams, Patrick Patterson, and Kimsheree Simoneau, face a total of 27 charges, including intent to deliver cocaine and fentanyl, along with illegal firearm possession.
Investigators identified the suspects after witness interviews and executing a search warrant at their residence. The seven students who suffered overdoses were administered Narcan and are expected to make full recoveries. This event occurs against a backdrop of reported decreases in overdose deaths nationwide, according to CDC data.
Despite a national downward trend in overdose fatalities, experts emphasize that dangerous substances like fentanyl continue to be prevalent in street drugs. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention noted significant drops in overdose deaths in states like New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. However, the pervasive presence of fentanyl, often manufactured abroad, remains a critical concern for law enforcement and public health officials.
