Fentanyl In Southern Oregon
Fentanyl in Southern Oregon is a serious problem. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is much more potent than other opioids like morphine and heroin. It can cause respiratory depression, which can be fatal, and many people who use it are not aware of how dangerous it is.
In recent years, the number of fentanyl-related overdoses and deaths has increased across the United States, including in Southern Oregon’s Jackson and Josephine Counties. According to the Medford Police Department, the number of suspected fentanyl deaths in Jackson County has gone up by more than 500% from 2020 to 2021. Medford Police Lieutenant Mike Budreau said that they are responding to about one overdose per day and investigating a fatal overdose about once per week.
Rise in Violent Crimes
Law enforcement agencies in Southern Oregon are also concerned about the rise in violent crimes that they believe is related to the increased availability of fentanyl. According to the Medford Police Department, the number of murders in their city has gone up by 250% in 2021, and there has been an 11% increase in assaults and a 12% increase in drug-related crimes despite the decriminalization of small amounts of drugs in Oregon.
Fentanyl-related overdoses and deaths are not just a problem in Jackson and Josephine Counties. In fact, law enforcement agencies in other counties, such as Klamath and Curry Counties, have reported similar increases in fentanyl-related incidents. Brandon Fowler, the Public Information Officer for the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office, said that they are seeing an average of about five suspected fentanyl-related deaths per month.
Law enforcement Need Resources
Law enforcement officials have stated that they need more resources to address Fentanyl use in Southern Oregon. They have called for more funding to be put towards combating the problem and educating the community about the dangers of fentanyl. Fentanyl is a very dangerous drug, and even a small amount can cause an overdose.
According to a report by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Mexico, and China are the primary source countries for fentanyl and fentanyl-related substances trafficked directly into the United States. However, India is emerging as a source of finished fentanyl powder and fentanyl precursor chemicals.
Addressing the fentanyl epidemic will require a multifaceted approach. It will involve increasing law enforcement resources to combat the problem and educating the community about the dangers of fentanyl. It will also require addressing the root causes of drug addiction and providing support to those who are struggling with addiction. Only by working together can we hope to address this serious problem and prevent further loss of life.
The Drug Wars campaign is going to address Fentanyl use in Southern Oregon. Stay tuned.