SLPD combating opioid crisis with new kits and training

YUMA, Ariz. – In this week’s Cracking the Case, News 11 headed to border town, San Luis, Ariz., where the presence of opioids has continually grown. 

The San Luis Police Department (SLPD) said that fentanyl and methamphetamine are two of the major drugs hitting their streets. 

In fact, SLPD said over the past two fentanyl-related arrests, more than 4,000 of the deadly M-30 pills have been confiscated, and they have seen more than 20 overdoses over the past couple of months. 

Lieutenant Marco Santana explained how dangerous it is for officers to even touch fentanyl. The agency has taken measures to equip each officer with kits to handle the drug. 

“Obviously as an agency here in San Luis, we have definitely taken this obviously very seriously. Just like any other agency, and we have focused on getting any of the equipment necessary not only to protect the community obviously but to protect the officers to continue the opioid issue that we continue to combat,“ said Lt. Santana. 

SLPD spent more than $2,000 on the kits that include special gloves, Narcan, goggles, and even body suits if officers come across a large stash of the drug. 

Training on how to deal with overdoses is also something the department has also provided to its officers as they continue to fight this crisis.