Jackson County Public Health issued an overdose alert Monday, July 17th, for fentanyl and other illicit opioids afier Jackson County Sheriff’s Office Medical Examiner detectives responded to 10 fatal overdoses over the five days.
Medical Examiner detectives suspect fentanyl as a contributing factor in nine of the deaths from Wednesday, July 12th, through Monday, July 17th, ranging in age from 22 to 63, in Ashland, Central Point, Trail, White City, Talent, and five in Medford.
In 2023 Jackson County has 33 confirmed overdoses, with 30 of them containing fentanyl and currently there are 41 cases pending toxicology, with at least 23 of them having some evidence of fentanyl use.
Although it is too early in the investigations to determine the exact drug that caused the deaths, many were found with fentanyl on scene and investigations have also determined some of the deceased may have not known they were using fentanyl since the drug is often mixed in with other illicit substances such as cocaine.
Illicitly manufactured fentanyl can be sold as counterfeit pills, such as oxycontin or in a powder form, which can look like other drugs, such as cocaine and methamphetamine. Fentanyl can also be mixed with other illicit opioids, such as heroin. The increased presence of fentanyl in the drug supply increases the risk of an overdose for people who are experimenting with drugs and not intentionally using fentanyl.
The use of illicit opioids, such as heroin and fentanyl increases the risk of overdosing, and it should always be presumed that there is a risk of overdosing no matter what drug is used since the street drug supply is unpredictable and inconsistent.
As part of the overdose alert, Jackson County Public Health is encouraging the medical community, community partners, parents, family and friends, and people with an active substance use disorder to be aware of the increased overdoses and harms associated with opioid use, specifically fentanyl.
