Fentanyl crisis in Grant County
Fentanyl pills, often blue like those shown here, are usually smoked but can also be ingested orally. Officials at the Grant County Jail say a majority of those who enter the jail due to an arrest are facing an addiction to fentanyl. Meanwhile, officials at the Grant County Coroner’s Office say overdoses due to fentanyl are seeing a dramatic rise.
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Fentanyl-related overdoses in Grant County have been on the rise for some time. Unfortunately, Grant County Coroner Craig Morrison predicts that 2023 will show an increase that could reach 40 overdose deaths from the drug if trends continue.
Fentanyl has become so common in the community that law enforcement officers throughout Grant County carry Narcan, an anti-overdose medication that can save lives. Concern is rising, however, that a new form of fentanyl – known on the streets as tranq – may come to the area. Tranq is fentanyl that is laced with a tranquilizer usually reserved for use on livestock or on wildlife such as moose. That additive can prevent Narcan from working.
EPHRATA – According to staff at the Grant County Jail, roughly 90% of detainees arrive with some substance abuse-related concern. Of those, roughly 70% have some level of dependency on fentanyl. The Grant County Morgue is seeing sadly similar increases.
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