June 7 (UPI) -- A spate of opioid overdoses possibly tied to street drugs sold in Georgia has led to up to four deaths and more than a dozen hospitalizations, state health officials said.
The Georgia Department of Public Health on Tuesday said the overdoses took place over the span of 48 hours in Centerville, Perry, Macon, Warner Robins and Albany. They described the drug as "extremely potent" and say they require "massive doses of naloxone (Narcan) to counteract its effects."
"Patients reportedly purchased yellow pills alleged to be Percocet, an opioid pain medication," a statement from the department said. "Testing is being done to identify the pills and the ingredients."
Investigators don't know what the drug is, but Georgia Bureau of Investigation spokeswoman Nelly Miles said street drugs are often laced with a variety of substances.
Some people have been found unconscious and were put on ventilators to help them breathe. Miles said there could be more deaths from the drug.
