Police warn of "highly potent and dangerous" heroin in Columbus after 27 overdoses advising anyone who has heroin to destroy it immediately.

UPDATE: Wednesday evening Columbus Fire says 9 additional overdoses today were reported.

Columbus Police issued a warning Tuesday night that there could be "highly potent and dangerous" heroin in central Ohio after 27 suspected opiate overdoses in 24 hours.

There were at 35 overdoses confirmed in the across central Ohio in that time span. Columbus Public Health says 27 overdoses were connected to heroin use, as Narcan was successful in reviving the patients.

Two deaths were linked to the recent overdoses. Officials cannot link those to heroin because Narcan wasn’t used and toxicology reports are not available at this time.

In a release sent Tuesday evening, police said nine people were treated for suspected opiate overdoses in the Linden area.

Columbus Police are advising anyone who has heroin to destroy it immediately.

Investigators are looking into the source of the drugs.

In July, Columbus Police issued a similar warning after 10 suspected opiate overdoses, including two deaths. A suspect was caught in that case.

A Columbus Public Health spokesperson said if you or someone you know is an addict, it's a good idea to have naloxone on hand.

Department physicians say they are most concerned with heroin addicts who use alone or do not test a small amount of the drug before using.

If you or a loved are experiencing a mental health or substance abuse related emergency call the Netcare Access Crisis Hotline: 614-276-CARE (2273). If you have a medical emergency, call 911.

Mayor Andrew J. Ginther provided the following statement regarding the recent overdoses: