String of possible Fentanyl overdoses raise concerns in Riley County

MANHATTAN, Kan. (WIBW) — In the past week, the Riley County Police Department said they’ve come across three cases believed to be related to Fentanyl in heroin, one of which resulted in death.

Police said that the Fentanyl laced heroin is relatively new to Riley County, but according to statistics from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, this recent spike is part of a statewide problem.

In 2018, the KBI received 40 cases related to Fentanyl. A staggering increase from the 8 they received in 2015.

Fentanyl can be mixed with heroin, the second greatest drug threat in the state behind methamphetamines, according to the KBI.

“The amount of Fentanyl that would be deadly is a far smaller dose than it is with other types of drugs,” Officer Rachel Pate, said. “That is where it is inherently more dangerous, especially when you’re seeing Fentanyl being laced with other common drugs that people are using. It’s something to where they’re not aware of this being within that.”

The recent spike in the deadly substance prompted police to issue a public safety announcement.

A few residents shared their concerns with 13 NEWS about the rise of the drug in the area.

“Having three young kids, it’s a big concern,” Nalani Clark said. “You can only teach them right from wrong before they learn from their friends.”

“We should look at what our children and our grandchildren are exposed to,” Rocky Popejoy said. “If there is a possibility that they have drugs that are laced with heroin or anything else, there should be some things we should look at and take care of immediately.”

“I think it’s kind of a scary thought,” Gavin Colton said. “Just when you think we sort of know how we’re dealing with drugs in a town like this, new things are popping up that we may not know anything about.”

The statistics from the KBI represent all counties except for Johnson and Sedgwick who have their own laboratories, which means Wichita and Kansas City are accounted for.

KBI officials believe that if they were, the numbers could be worse.