The dangers of Fentanyl

JACKSON COUNTY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) – Jackson County Sheriff’s officials got the call Tuesday one of their own had been exposed to the opioid Fentanyl during a field test.

“I later started hearing some different kind of traffic where he was radioing back and I knew something didn’t sound right so the more I listened, I heard him calling for EMS because he needed some help,” Commander Kevin Arnold said.

Other deputies arrived and administered Narcan to the deputy. Narcan is a nasal spray that can reverse the effects of a Fentanyl overdose. He was taken to the hospital and released later that evening.

“Since that time he’s had some issues in dealing with it and has since went back to the ER,” Commander Arnold said.

Fentanyl is prescribed for chronic pain, but medical experts say the drug can be dangerous if improperly used.

“Fentanyl is 100 times stronger than morphine and when improperly used causes respiratory depression,” Dr. Murray Baker with Jackson Hospital in Marianna said. “You could stop breathing and you could die.”

Fentanyl is highly addictive. Experts say the more you take, the more you need.

“The problem is the more you take, you have increased risk for respiratory depression even though you don’t get the pain relief,” Dr. Baker said.

While Fentanyl overdoses are not common in rural areas, officials say the drug is growing in popularity.

“It is getting more prevalent,” Commander Arnold said. “It’s kind of alarming and scary because the stuff can be deadly, in a very, very small amount.”

The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office recently received several doses of Narcan as part of a grant. Officials say they plan on giving them to deputies very soon–should they need to save someone else’s life or their own.