Cincinnati-area authorities say a spike in overdoses continues as investigators try to determine what drug is causing the increase and identify its source.
The Cincinnati Enquirer reports that Cincinnati police and emergency crews responded to 39 overdoses from Monday through 1 a.m. Wednesday. Police and the Hamilton County Heroin Coalition say that brings the total number of overdoses since Aug. 19 to about 270.
Investigators believe heroin involved in some of the overdoses was mixed with an animal tranquilizer or a powerful painkiller. Officials have said previously that it's likely that not all the overdoses involve heroin.
Officials in Union Township in Clermont County, east of Cincinnati, reported six overdoses Monday. Typically, one overdose or none at all is reported on a single day.