April 23--Eight people were hospitalized over the course of Friday evening after suffering possible drug overdoses on Skid Row, police said, upping a previous count by two.
A Los Angeles Police Department officer also was treated and released at a hospital after an odor in the area caused him to become ill, LAPD Central Division Sgt. Chris Allen said.
"The officer had to do with an odor in the air, but the others, I believe, was overdoses from drugs," Allen said of the hospitalizations. "It has to do with narcotics."
The type of drug or drugs involved in the incident was unknown, Allen said. He did not know the condition of those hospitalized.
The incident occurred about 7:15 a.m. at 5th and San Pedro streets. San Pedro was shut down, and air quality workers were called in for testing, Allen said.
"It's unusual to have that high number of overdoses in a short period of time," Allen said. "It's the people in the street that need to be aware of what they're buying."
Times staff writer Paul Pringle contributed to this article.
brittny.mejia@latimes.com
Follow me on Twitter @brittny_mejia
._Patrick_s_Day_Parade_94380.jpg?w=600)
