27 Dec Police: Heroin seized in Shelton was laced with fentanyl
SHELTON, Wash. – Heroin recently seized by police officers in Shelton was confirmed to have been laced with fentanyl, the Shelton Police Department announced Thursday.
After arresting an individual on suspicion of possession of heroin, the Police Department sent the heroin to the Washington State Patrol Crime Lab for testing. The lab confirmed the substance was heroin but also notified the police department that it was laced with fentanyl.
>> Related: Feds say heroin, fentanyl remain biggest drug threat to US
“Fentanyl is 50 times more potent than heroin, making it a very powerful drug. Opioid receptors are found in the areas of the brain that control breathing rate. Opioids, especially one as potent as fentanyl, can cause breathing to stop completely, leading to death,” the Shelton Police Department said in a news release.
To deal with overdose emergencies, Shelton police officers carry Narcan in their patrol cars. Narcan is the bran name for a device that dispenses naloxone, a drug that can temporarily reverse the potentially deadly effects of opioid overdose during an emergency.
>> Related: What is Narcan? 12 things to know about the drug
“Time is of the essence if you believe someone is overdosing on a narcotic” Shelton Police said, adding that 911 should be called immediately as well.
The Mason County Department of Health provides substance abuse treatment resources that can be located by calling 360-427-9670, ext. 400.
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