Fentanyl is proven to be an opioid overdose killer

Every 8 minutes, someone in the U.S. dies of an opioid overdose.To put that in perspective, from the time we started KX News, to our first commercial break, someone in our country has lost their life. As the opioid epidemic continues to increase, health officials point the finger at fentanyl as a huge cause in drug overdoses.

Drugs are popular in the Bismarck-Mandan area,especially opioids.The Bismarck Police Department responded to 19 overdoses this year, they say many more are never even reported.

The CDC says fentanyl is now the number one opioid overdose killer. Health professionals conclude that more overdose deaths involve fentanyl, either mixed with other opioids or taken alone. 

But what is fentanyl?

It’s a synthetic opioid pain medication,usually, prescribed by a physician in severe cases.
According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, fentanyl is 80 to 100 times stronger than heroin or cocaine.

“It either comes in a liquid form, a patch, and it does come in a powder form if it is extracted. But, you can not get it in North America or the United States,” said  Lt. Patrick Haug, Mandan Police Department.

When it comes to law enforcement, their daily patrol against drugs has changed, as the opioid epidemic has taken over.

The number of opioids overdoses are increasing so much that officers in the bis-man area are carrying narcan sprays as an antidote. 

“The last one that I am aware of is just north of the police department where we gave four doses to one person, and the other one got two or three. That’s how powerful it was,” said Haug.

Since fentanyl is only prescribed, for those looking for the same high fentanyl gives, they often look to heroin. It’s a cheaper option.

According to the CDC, from 2013 to 2016, overdose deaths involving fentanyl doubled each year.
For those lucky enough to survive an overdose, the recovery is lifelong.

“I ask originally all of my patients when they come in with an opioid use disorder if they ever had an overdose. I don’t have the numbers but majority have had an over dose. Addiction is a chronic disease that responds best to chronic treatment. So, I tell patients when they come through these doors do not expect it to be 28 days and I am going to be well,”Melissa Henke, Medical Director of Heartview Foundation.

Law enforcement say, with most overdoses unreported, the sooner you call in for help, the sooner a life can be saved.

According to the CDC, an average of 50,000 Americans die from drug overdoses each year.