21-year-old dropped at hospital dies of heroin overdose

WOODSTOCK, Ga. — Woodstock police are looking into a possible heroin-related death of a Johns Creek woman.

The 21-year-old died of a suspected heroin overdose last week after she was dropped off at Kennestone Hospital in Cobb County.

Her family has asked us to withhold her name until toxicology reports confirm cause of death.

The woman's boss, Lisa Lee, told Channel 2’s Mike Petchenik that the drug is a major problem in the northern suburbs and parents need to wake up.

“She was the most amazing person. She would light up any room when she walked in,” Lee said of the 21-year-old with her infectious smile.

Woodstock police said they are investigating the circumstances surrounding her death.

The death came about a year after the woman's friend, Chelsea Bennett, died from a heroin overdose. Police charged a friend of Bennett's with giving her the drug and then failing to call for help when she overdosed.

But Lee said the addiction overpowered her. She said it's a problem facing many young people in north Fulton County.

"They all start off with just prescription drugs and then it goes to heroin. It's extremely prevalent in this area,” Lee said.

Lee said she hears about it from the young people who come into her business.

"I don't think parents around here realize what a threat it is, and I would really like to see us educate our kids at a much younger age,” Lee said.

Lee feels so passionately about the issue that she plans to go before the Johns Creek City Council next week.

WSBTV