The Curry County Sheriff’s Office would like to make the public aware that there have been multiple fatal overdoses of suspected Fentanyl in the southern portion of the County.
There have been several instances where multiple people fatally overdose in the same residence, the “Big City” drug epidemic has made its way to Curry County.
Curry County Sheriff’s Deputies respond to multiple overdoses every week. Often the person overdosing is administered Naloxone (commonly referred to as Narcan) prior to the arrival of EMS personnel. Narcan can reverse the central nervous system depressant effects of an opioid or synthetic opioid.
The issue with Narcan is that it has a half-life (remains active in the body) for 30 to 80 minutes depending on the person and the amount of opiate or synthetic opiate they have ingested.
The Sheriff’s Office is receiving reports that it is taking several doses of Narcan to reverse an overdose as of late, sometimes up to eight doses. If the person who is in active overdose does not seek immediate medical attention, it is possible that the Narcan can dissipate while there is still a fatal amount of opiate or synthetic opiate in the persons system, causing them to overdose again.
The true number of overdoses we are experiencing is unknown because many go unreported due to fear of being arrested. The Sheriff’s Office would like to remind the public that Oregon has a “Good Samaritan law”, meaning if someone overdoses and you call for help, you cannot be arrested or prosecuted for possessing drugs or drug paraphernalia, being in a place where drugs are used or sold, or parole/probation violation.
The Curry County Sheriff’s Office prioritizes the preservation of life over any possible criminal investigation so please call for help. Naloxone is provided for free by several organizations along with Fentanyl testing equipment. It is not required, but each Sheriff’s Office Patrol Deputy has an emergency supply of Narcan not only for administering to overdose victims, but also for self/buddy aid should they suffer an exposure to Fentanyl while on the job.
Fentanyl has taken over the drug market and has become the preferred drug over heroin. The last several seizures of heroin submitted to the State Crime Lab by the Curry County Sheriff’s Office, have proven to be Fentanyl disguised as heroin.
Fentanyl has been found to contaminate all other popular street and party drugs, including marijuana. Fentanyl is cheap and easy to smuggle as it can be formed to look like anything. The ways Fentanyl can be disguised is limited only by the smuggler’s imagination. It has been made to appear like frozen produce, sidewalk chalk, candy, over the counter medication and prescription medications.
A common counterfeit prescription pill we have seen is what is known on the street as a “Dirty 30”. The Fentanyl is colored blue and pressed into the form of a legitimate 30 milligram oxycodone pill. Other counterfeit pills commonly seen are Xanax, Adderall, and Vicodin. It is estimated that six out of 10 counterfeit pills contain a lethal dose of Fentanyl.
Fentanyl has taken center stage due to its lethality, but we are experiencing an exponential rise in the use of all other street drugs as well. With that comes the rise of person, property, and public nuisance crimes such as harassment, trespassing, theft, and disorderly conduct.
While the use of street drugs has been decriminalized in Oregon, the sale of them has not, and since the passing of Measure 110, law enforcement throughout the county have seen an unprecedented rise in drug use, drug related crimes, and drug related deaths.
If you have information about persons importing or selling Fentanyl or other street drugs in Curry County, please reach out to the Curry County Detective Division at 541-247-3242 Ext 4. Your name and information can be kept confidential at your request.
