Pickaway – In a meeting last night Steve Hawkins Fiscal Officer from Pickaway COunty Health reported that already in 2019 there are Seven overdose deaths due to the drug fentanyl. Hawkins said that over 80 percent of the fentanyl that is mixed into illegal drugs comes from China.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 80-100 times stronger than morphine. Pharmaceutical fentanyl was developed for pain management treatment of cancer patients, applied in a patch on the skin. Because of its powerful opioid properties, Fentanyl is also diverted for abuse. Fentanyl is added to heroin to increase its potency, or be disguised as highly potent heroin. Many users believe that they are purchasing heroin and actually don’t know that they are purchasing fentanyl – which often results in overdose deaths.
What’s worse is that Fentanyl is Narcan resistant, the drug that counteracts opioid effects. Usually Emergency forces have to give several shots of Narcan to counteract the drug.
Fentanyl when taken slows blood pressure and respiration when taken with other drugs can lead to death quickly without medical treatment.
If you or a loved one had addiction issues please seek help. Contact local law enforcement to get help.
