Two possible drug overdoses in Columbia

Authorities in Columbia are investigating two deaths in the last five days that appear to be overdoses.

Last Tuesday police and paramedics responded to a possible overdose on Hyde Park, in south Columbia.

Family sources of the 21-year-old man told ABC 17 News the drug was heroin.

The medical examiner said it will take weeks to get toxicology reports back before a drug overdose can be confirmed.

The medical examiner is also waiting on toxicology reports from another possible overdose in central Columbia on Friday morning.

Currently, emergency responders are using Narcan, a medicine used to counter the effects of opioid drugs, to save lives during overdoses.

Not all first responders in Columbia carry Narcan, though, only licensed ground ambulance services can administer the drug.

However, the Boone County Fire Protection District is working to develop protocol so they can give the drug while waiting for ambulances to arrive on scene.

Boone County fire officials plan on training all 250 employees this August and September.

Columbia Fire said they do not plan on having their crews carry Narcan since the ambulances are so close to them at University and Boone Hospital.