3 overdoses reported in Christiansburg over 24-hour span

1 man died Friday of overdose

CHRISTIANSBURG, Va. – The Christiansburg Police Department is seeking the community’s help for information after they responded to three overdoses in a 24-hour period.

One of the overdoses was fatal, as 27-year-old Christoper Allen Zirkle of Christiansburg was found unresponsive at a home on Montague Street on Friday night, authorities said. 

The other two overdoses occurred at a residence on Stone Street, one Friday and another Saturday, according to police. 

The overdose victim Friday was revived with Narcan and taken to LewisGale Hospital Montgomery, according to authorities. 

The victim of Saturday’s overdose was released from Carilion New River Valley Medical Center, police said. 

Preliminary investigative information indicates the overdoses may involve people abusing what they believed to be the opioid prescription painkiller, Oxycontin, but was actually fentanyl pressed into the form of pills with markings that mimic 30-milligram Oxycontin pills.

This information is not yet confirmed but is being provided so the community will be aware that it has become more common for drug dealers to substitute fentanyl for other drugs, leading the user to take a far stronger dose than expected, which in turn dramatically increases the chances of accidentally overdosing.

Anyone with information about these incidents is asked to contact the Christiansburg Police Department tip line at 540-382-4084.