Fentanyl Warning, May 20

CCSO release – Coos County Deputies, in conjunction with the South Coast Interagency Narcotics Team (SCINT) recently handled an overdose case where illegal drugs were laced with fentanyl. Fentanyl is 50 to 100 times more powerful than Morphine, and presents a serious risk to anyone using the drug illegally. Fentanyl has been tied to an increase in overdose rates since 2013. Law enforcement authorities have seen a rise in illegal drugs being laced with fentanyl, unknown to the users. Overdose deaths have been reported throughout the country due to the increased potency of the laced drugs. In May of 2021, Deputies seized the pictured pills in Curry County. Similar mentioned pills, known as “blue oxy” were mentioned in Coos County after responding to an overdose that required administration of naloxone (Narcan). The two involved individuals would likely have died had the naloxone not been administered. If you encounter these pills or any drug that could be laced with fentanyl, please call authorities and do not touch the drugs with bare hands. Fentanyl can be absorbed through skin, and presents a health hazard.