One Dead of Overdose from Possibly Tainted Heroin

One of three people who overdosed on heroin in a recent 24-hour period has died, police said Thursday.

Police said they are investigating the possibility that there's a tainted strain of the drug going around.

"It could be that there is a more lethal than normal strain of heroin out there or it could be that heroin is inherently dangerous," said Deputy police Chief Corey MacDonald.

The person who died was a man, MacDonald said. He declined to further identify him. The other two people are a man and a woman.

Police issued a community alert Wednesday, saying the number of overdoses for that time period was unusually high.

"We're hoping if maybe someone needs an extra push to get treatment, they will do it," MacDonald said. 

Hampton police and others have said heroin is a "significant" problem and among the most pressing drug issues throughout the entire Seacoast area.

Overall drug activity from May to December 2013 was roughly the same in Hampton and Hampton Beach, but police have said that doesn't mean narcotic drugs, and heroin in particular, aren't still a major area of concern.

"It is still a large concern and something we still need to focus on," said Hampton Police Chief Jamie Sullivan.