Police Department Shares Shocking Photos of Overdose Victims

Graphic photos show a man and woman who overdosed, with a 4-year-old in the back seat of their vehicle. WARNING: PHOTOS ARE GRAPHIC

The first thing you should now is, despite their appearance, the two people in these photos are not deceased.

The City of East Liverpool, Ohio posted these pictures Thursday. They show two adults, who are unconscious, with the pre-schooler in the rear of the vehicle. According to a police report obtained by ABC 15, an officer was driving behind a Ford Explorer at approximately 3 p.m. Wednesday when he noticed the vehicle driving erratically. The vehicle ended up skidding to a spot next to a school bus and drifted to the edge of the road.

When the officer went up to the driver, he couldn't understand what the man, 47-year-old James Acord, was saying. Next to Acord, in the passenger seat, was 50-year-old Rhonda Pasek, who was unconscious.

Acord told the officer he was taking Pasek to the hospital and attempted to leave before the officer removed the keys from the vehicle. Acord then also became unconscious. Pasek's 4-year-old son was in the back seat.

EMS and paramedics were called and what's described as "several rounds" of Narcan were then given to Acord and Pasek. According to the police report, Narcan is "commonly used to reverse an opiate overdose."

On its Facebook page, the city had this message: "We feel it necessary to show the other side of this horrible drug. We feel we need to be a voice for the children caught up in this horrible mess. This child can't speak for himself but we are hopeful his story can convince another user to think twice about injecting this poison while having a child in their custody. We are well aware that some may be offended by these images and for that we are truly sorry, but it is time that the non drug using public sees what we are now dealing with on a daily basis."

Following treatment at a local hospital, Acord and Pasek were booked in the Columbiana County Jail. Acord is charged with OVI (operating a vehicle impaired), endangering children and stopping in the roadway. Pasek was charged with endangering children, OVI and a seatbelt violation.

Pasek's 4-year-old son was taken to children's services.
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I recently watched a screening of the short documentary, "Chasing the Dragon: The Life of an Opidate Addict" at Collins Road Theatres in Marion. It was hosted by the city's police department. The video of the film is below. It features real people who struggle with addiction, many times started by a simple prescription drug. However, things can spiral very quickly. Our state is among many with a growing problem with addiction to opiates. An eastern Iowa man who had been addicted to heroin was in the audience that night. He said the film is VERY realistic and told us he went through much of what was shown on the screen. If you know someone fighting the battle I encourage you to watch it and share it with them. These people need your help and your love.

[via ABC 15]