The St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office Vice/Narcotics Division is issuing a warning regarding the powerful opioid pain reliever fentanyl. The St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office reports a rise in fentanyl-related overdoses and the sale of fentanyl on the streets.
"Fentanyl has been a problem for other jurisdictions nationwide and unfortunately, it has presented itself locally in St. Mary's County. Although there has only been a few cases reported, the Sheriff's Office remains proactive by identifying developing trends in our community, in addition to keeping our citizens aware and up-to-date with the most current information," said Captain Daniel Alioto, Vice/Narcotics Commander.
Fentanyl can be used safely if prescribed, but is a killer on the streets. Fentanyl is a schedule II narcotic controlled substance and is often seen in patch form when prescribed to the terminally ill, such as Hospice care patients. It's an analgesic and an anesthetic, 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine, and 30 to 50 times stronger than heroin, and the most powerful opiate available. Fentanyl is transdermal; it can be easily absorbed through the skin.
This powerful drug is often paired with heroin or benzodiazepines to quicken the onset and enhance the high. Often, a minuscule amount of Fentanyl, in a powder form, is all it takes for an overdose to occur.
Many abusers believe they are purchasing heroin or don't know the heroin or drug they are consuming has been laced with fentanyl. Many forms of Fentanyl are being imported from Mexico and China as well as being developed from synthetic ingredients and sold illegally.
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There was a bulletin that just came regarding a fentanyl-related arrest:
On June 16, Deputy S. Trotter conducted a vehicle stop, at approximately 9:52am on Calvert Beach Road/Solomon's Island Road. The driver, Paul Wert, 41, of Lusby, was arrested for driving on a revoked license. A secondary search conducted at the Detention Center yielded illegal Fentanyl patches attached to the suspect's body. He received an additional charge of CDS: Possession-Not Marijuana (Fentanyl).
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For educational purposes, the Sheriff's Office encourages the community to watch a video being circulated by the Drug Enforcement Agency, warning of fentanyl poisoning.
[video=youtube;X4ZymbIqRWY]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4ZymbIqRWY[/video]
"Fentanyl has been a problem for other jurisdictions nationwide and unfortunately, it has presented itself locally in St. Mary's County. Although there has only been a few cases reported, the Sheriff's Office remains proactive by identifying developing trends in our community, in addition to keeping our citizens aware and up-to-date with the most current information," said Captain Daniel Alioto, Vice/Narcotics Commander.
Fentanyl can be used safely if prescribed, but is a killer on the streets. Fentanyl is a schedule II narcotic controlled substance and is often seen in patch form when prescribed to the terminally ill, such as Hospice care patients. It's an analgesic and an anesthetic, 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine, and 30 to 50 times stronger than heroin, and the most powerful opiate available. Fentanyl is transdermal; it can be easily absorbed through the skin.
This powerful drug is often paired with heroin or benzodiazepines to quicken the onset and enhance the high. Often, a minuscule amount of Fentanyl, in a powder form, is all it takes for an overdose to occur.
Many abusers believe they are purchasing heroin or don't know the heroin or drug they are consuming has been laced with fentanyl. Many forms of Fentanyl are being imported from Mexico and China as well as being developed from synthetic ingredients and sold illegally.
---
There was a bulletin that just came regarding a fentanyl-related arrest:
On June 16, Deputy S. Trotter conducted a vehicle stop, at approximately 9:52am on Calvert Beach Road/Solomon's Island Road. The driver, Paul Wert, 41, of Lusby, was arrested for driving on a revoked license. A secondary search conducted at the Detention Center yielded illegal Fentanyl patches attached to the suspect's body. He received an additional charge of CDS: Possession-Not Marijuana (Fentanyl).
---
For educational purposes, the Sheriff's Office encourages the community to watch a video being circulated by the Drug Enforcement Agency, warning of fentanyl poisoning.
[video=youtube;X4ZymbIqRWY]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4ZymbIqRWY[/video]