2 Addiction Counselors Overdose, Die At Chester County Halfway Home: DA

WEST BRANDYWINE, PA — A pair of staff members in charge of supervising recovering addicts died from opioid overdoses at a Chester County halfway home Sunday, the Chester County District Attorney's Office said.

The incident occurred at around 2:15 p.m. at Freedom Ridge Recovery Lodge, which is located on the quiet 100 block of Freedom Valley Circle in West Brandywine.

Residents of the home found the counselors unresponsive in two separate bedrooms and called authorities, the DA said. When they first found the counselors, the residents attempted to revive one of them with a nasal spray of Naloxone, but they were unsuccessful.

Police found used needles and heroin baggies near the bodies of the counselors, according to the DA. The baggies were stamped with a Superman logo and a skull- and-crossbones logo.

Toxicology reports revealed the men died from heroin and fentanyl overdose.

The deaths represent a startling extension of the opioid crisis into the community of caregivers that is helping others fight abuse on a daily basis.

"These deaths are tragic examples of the impact that the heroin and opioid epidemic continues to have on our communities," said Vince Brown, director of the Chester County Department of Drug and Alcohol. "Nobody is immune. But it is important to know that help is available and that recovery, from any addiction, is possible and happens every day."

The counselors, who lived in the home with six male patients, were responsible for guiding daily activities and keeping medications under lock and key.

An investigation into their deaths is currently underway. Anyone with additional information should contact Chester County Detective Ben Martin at 610-344-6866.

Images via Chester County District Attorney's Office