HCSO Warns That Deaths From Fentanyl Are Rising in Humboldt County

FentynalPress release from the HCSO:

Humboldt County has seen a substantial increase in illicit fentanyl distribution, possession and overdose cases, including an alarming number of overdose deaths.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid and a Schedule II narcotic that is approximately 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin. Fentanyl is often added to heroin and other drugs to increase their potency and can cause accidental overdose.

As of April 14, 2021, the Humboldt County Coroner’s Office has received confirmation of eight fentanyl overdose deaths in the county, with six in the month of March alone. Multiple overdose death investigations remain pending receipt of toxicology reports, with more fentanyl cases anticipated.

Additionally, in 2021 alone, Humboldt County Drug Task Force Agents have seized over 187 grams of Fentanyl and approximately 5,002 Fentanyl pills. In comparison, agents seized just 3 grams of Fentanyl in 2020 and three Fentanyl patches in 2019.

“What we are seeing currently are products that contain larger doses of fentanyl, especially in pill form,” Lieutenant Shawn Sopoaga, Humboldt County Drug Task Force Commander said. “Fentanyl is being transported to Humboldt County in a raw form and used as a cutting agent, by dealers, to produce more product.”

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, a lethal dose of fentanyl consists of two milligrams, equal in size to a few grains of salt. The DEA’s Fentanyl Signature Profiling Program found that 26 percent of illicit fentanyl pills examined in 2019 contained potentially lethal doses of fentanyl. Counterfeit pills can be difficult to distinguish from legitimate medications and are often marketed as M30s, Perc30s, Blues or Mexican Oxy.

Fentanyl can also be absorbed through the skin and accidental inhalation of airborne powder can occur. Due to the rising threat of Fentanyl exposure, Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies have been equipped with Narcan, a nasal spray designed to rapidly reverse opioid overdose. In California, residents can purchase NARCAN® Nasal Spray without a prescription, directly from a pharmacist, and those locally struggling with addiction are highly encouraged to carry Narcan in case of overdose emergency.

Anyone with information regarding narcotics related crimes are

“One of my biggest concerns is that our teenagers and young adults are taking pills from these dealers that are laced with fentanyl. The chances of overdose is very high,” Humboldt County Sheriff William Honsal said. “We are working with both our state and federal law enforcement partners to hold those persons accountable that are pushing fentanyl in our community.”

 

Anyone with information regarding narcotics related crimes are encouraged to call the Humboldt County Drug Task Force at 707-267-9976 or the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at (707) 268-2539.

 

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Obliviously
Guest
Obliviously
3 years ago

Be interesting to see the stats on how many times they administer Narcan. Is it way up also?

Early Cuyler
Guest
Early Cuyler
3 years ago
Reply to  Obliviously

Buy a police scanner. The number of overdoses in the last 2 years is at least 1200x higher than every previous year. I hear up to 4 ods a day sometimes. Thats when you can tell new shit hit the streets.

Most overdoses require the fire dpt to stage outside the area and the police are first on scene, they carry up to 4 doses of narcan now instead of 1.

VMG
Guest
VMG
3 years ago
Reply to  Obliviously

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16225129/

AND:

https://premierbiotech.com/innovation/facing-fentanyl-p2/

The problem here is that Mexican Bathtub Fentanyl often isn’t exactly Fentanyl, but an analog which could well be even more potent…

The garbage is mixed into pill molds, and sold as many other drugs. “Black Tar substance” may contain more Fentanyl Analogs than Heroin, and often, the dose is anybody’s guess…

Addicts are falling out more and more often, and simply shooting up or smoking what dealers are providing may well be the last thing the addict ever does.

Don’t take this stuff, locally, even a Pink Crystal being sold as “Molly” has been shown to actually contain Fentanyl Analogs at a dose high enough to be lethal to the non-acclimated user.

When you think about it, using a completely unknown agent for smoking or shooting-up, is pure insanity.

Fentanyl Analog has been found in Methamphetamine, Cocaine, and other street drugs for years.

Micrograms can kill. Be cognizant.

Pharmstheproblem
Guest
Pharmstheproblem
3 years ago
Reply to  VMG

No the trouble is too many addicts..

Ice
Guest
Ice
3 years ago
Reply to  VMG

VMG: Exactly! These pix the police keep showing of a match head amount of fentanyl is the lethal dose of pharmaceutical grade fentaynl, which is almost never seen here anymore. It’s all the heavily cut Mexican bootleg stuff you mentioned, which is weaker than the bit shown in the pic… And a sad fact with all this is if a junkie hears another one overdosed on a particular batch of ‘tar’, instead of avoiding it, most will seek it out because it’s stronger! Which causes another overdose, and another person seeks that out and overdoses and over and over and over…

stuber
Guest
stuber
3 years ago
Reply to  Obliviously

Sorry to hear about the losses in our community. Why is there so much of this stuff here? Because Biden, our gov., senators, congressmen, supervisors, sheriffs, the DA, do not care about us. They could easily meet with private sector millionaires, form a task force, and destroy this industry. The armed private force could stake out known drug dens, and bust them constantly. No need for a warrant, we are past that already. They could follow known transporters to the suppliers and makers of the stuff, and shut them down. Much of this stuff comes from China, and Mexico. Follow the transporters to the holding stations and take them out. Take all their money, and privately give it to the rehab people. Could do this with Meth and Heroin too. Nothing else is working. Nothing.

W.H.
Guest
W.H.
3 years ago

Aleister Crowley, whom I would at any other time be loath to cite, actually proved the old canard that the blind squirrel occasionally finds a nut.

“You cannot cure a drug fiend; you cannot make him a useful citizen. He never was a good citizen, or he would not have fallen into slavery. If you reform him temporarily, at vast expense, risk, and trouble, your whole work vanishes like morning mist when he meets his next temptation. The proper remedy is to let him “gang his ain gait to the de’il”. Instead of less drug, give him more drug, and be done with him. His fate will be a warning to his neighbors, and in a year or two people will have the sense to shun the danger. Those who have not, let them die, too, and save the state. Moral weaklings are a danger to society, in whatever line their failings lie. If they are so amiable as to kill themselves, it is a crime to interfere. “

N
Guest
N
3 years ago
Reply to  W.H.

based

CancelLogic
Guest
CancelLogic
3 years ago

Damn that natural selection! I have an idea, let’s throw more of the taxpayers money at it…

Guest
Guest
Guest
3 years ago
Reply to  CancelLogic

Like our military, lol

Frank Lee
Guest
Frank Lee
3 years ago

It’s not going to stop, it’s going to get worse. The left wing politicians in Kalifornia who want you dependent on welfare will make sure of it.

Dave Kirby
Guest
Dave Kirby
3 years ago
Reply to  Frank Lee

What does welfare have to do with Fentanyl overdoses?

Me
Guest
Me
3 years ago
Reply to  Dave Kirby

Usually a low chance of being employed if you’re a drug addict.
I hope you’re being willfully naive

Frank Lee
Guest
Frank Lee
3 years ago
Reply to  Dave Kirby

Well Dave, here’s the short and sour version. I used the term “welfare” as a generic term for free shit handed out to poverty stricken people, with no strings attached, to make sure that there is no incentive for them to become productive citizens, as evidenced by so many living in our ghettos and the bushes all over this state. You can’t control a productive citizen very well.
The system in place insures left wing politicians that they will always have enough people in poverty, dependent on their handouts to secure their votes. A pig in a pig farm just loves the farmer until the farmer shoots them between the eyes.
People in poverty, getting paid to sit on their asses have lots of time to do nothing and a very high percentage of them do drugs to combat the boredom and misery. More people on welfare equals more people on drugs, which adds up to more overdoses.

Yeah,sure
Guest
Yeah,sure
3 years ago
Reply to  Frank Lee

Gee, how do you explain all of the supposed “productive” people doing drugs? Cocaine, nitrous, pills, heroin. Are they pigs that love the farmer also until they’ve lost it all.
You’re not worried about drug use, you’re wringing your hands over “ lazy welfare recipients “.
Your short and sour overview says more about you than the poor mentally ill drug users .

HotCoffee
Guest
HotCoffee
3 years ago
Reply to  Yeah,sure

When my son was 14 he was turned on at a local SF playground by a 20 something dude he didn’t know.
He went through years of hell but had been doing great the last 2 1/2 years in rehab. Was found dead in his bed in rehab March 31st 2021
after using his stimulus check for drugs.
April fools day I got the call I never wanted to get.
He’s finally found peace.
The same day I found myself on moderation here for saying someone wasn’t nice.

Fortuna guest
Guest
Fortuna guest
3 years ago
Reply to  HotCoffee

My heart goes out to you. I am so, so sorry for what you have had to endure as a parent and your ultimate loss of your son. I am experiencing the same thing now ……..although my son survived the overdose last week (also while in rehab) . All started from a large surgical procedure following a bicycle accident at a young age. It all folks bring this on themselves. Very sad , all of this. Please reach out to others in the same situation for your own support. XXOO

HotCoffee
Guest
HotCoffee
3 years ago
Reply to  Fortuna guest

Thank you for your kind words, And I hope you have a better outcome.
I actually do believe he is in a better place and at peace.
I believe we all have an expiration date and when it’s our time we go.
Hugs to you.

Lynn H
Guest
Lynn H
3 years ago
Reply to  HotCoffee

So sorry to hear.

Back At Yeah From Frank
Guest
Back At Yeah From Frank
3 years ago
Reply to  Yeah,sure

Most likely the productive ones are paying for their own dope, or part of it anyway, maybe get it cheap from a client. If your’re a taxpayer YOU are buying a lazy welfare recipient their dope.
The lazy ones are the only people I have a problem with, and so should you. Fuck, I was on welfare for three weeks when I first moved up here. It’s the lazy ones that should not be tolerated I sure as hell wasn’t lazy.
I have to admit I’m not too worried about the drug use. To me it’s like Mother Nature doing her thing, because there is no stopping it as long as our politicians are allowed to allow.
My comment was meant to say a lot about me. I am proud of my heritage and views on life, as I hope you all are.

Echo
Guest
Echo
3 years ago
Reply to  Frank Lee

And you really think these drugged up people living in bushes are going to show up and vote democrat on election day. What is wrong with you !!

North west
Guest
North west
3 years ago
Reply to  Frank Lee

So you’re saying that drug addict homeless are the voting block that you’re afraid of? Your sky must be falling

Willow Creeker
Guest
Willow Creeker
3 years ago
Reply to  North west

Drug use and drug addiction is not political, so let’s stop trying to brand it. It’s a huge problem, many of our younger generation are falling into it, and becoming lowlife thieves and criminals. What’s to do? More jobs to catch youth before they go this direction, better parents, more law enforcement. Law is a joke around here, no one even thinks of getting caught. Let’s drop the politics and work together to help this problem.

HotCoffee
Guest
HotCoffee
3 years ago
Reply to  Willow Creeker

Kids can have great parents and still give in to peer pressure and crafty sales persons.
It doesn’t take long to grab you.
We’ve lost many musicians, actors, athletes, and our children, parents and friends.
It’s a wicked demon that won’t let go once you try it.
Please don’t.

Frank Lee
Guest
Frank Lee
3 years ago
Reply to  North west

It is not fear that drives me, it is a combination of practicality and logic. The voting block causing the damage are the people who vote to allow the policies that enable the miscreants.
I am a proponent of doing what is necessary to ensure jobs for everyone.

Guest
Guest
Guest
3 years ago
Reply to  Dave Kirby

Working is hard but also a source of self respect. It occupies time that too many unemployed use to go looking for trouble to fill up out of boredom. And It is an incentive not to engage in self destructive habits. It may not prevent drug addiction but it is an incentive not to screw up so badly that employment is untenable. So yes, it does have something to do with welfare as an alternative to earning a livelihood.

HotCoffee
Guest
HotCoffee
3 years ago
Reply to  Guest

Welfare isn’t well understood.

Sometimes people need a helping hand but it shouldn’t be a generational lifestyle. During the housing bust many people needed help.

If you own your home welfare has you sign papers that when you die they get their money back out of your home.
If you have nothing they get nothing.

Edgar
Guest
Edgar
3 years ago
Reply to  Frank Lee

You are perfectly free to move to a red state. Perhaps you will ‘see’ things differently there.
Buh bye.

Frank Lee
Guest
Frank Lee
3 years ago
Reply to  Edgar

Thank you Edgar. I am proud to inform you that I am fully aware of my freedoms, and will be duly exercising them daily, just like you do.
I don’t care to move to a red state. Hell, the man is up your butt everywhere you go. I am born and raised California, so I guess I’ll be exercising my rights, right here.

guest
Guest
guest
3 years ago
Reply to  Frank Lee

I am another born and raised Californian who is appalled that California has gradually transformed into a state where no matter what you do it is the fault of “SOCIETY” Take responsibility for your actions. I should not have to leave the state of my birth to escape bums, junkies and alcoholics that are excused by “The People’s Republic of California”

Dylan’sdad
Guest
Dylan’sdad
3 years ago

In Southern Humboldt one of the most used and abused drugs is Nitros Oxide. We are experiencing a huge uptick in people being hospitalized with brain damage and losing all control of arms and legs. It is sickening that drug dealers are not arrested for selling nitros tanks on face book and Instagram. Also gas stations, smoke shops etc. where is law enforcement. Go get these dirtbags.

HotCoffee
Guest
HotCoffee
3 years ago
Reply to  Dylan’sdad

Glue was locked up because of people sniffing it.

blocksburg
Guest
blocksburg
3 years ago

defund met and fund pop before you kill are county

Mendocino Mamma
Guest
Mendocino Mamma
3 years ago

Its not REAL Fent. The crazy crap they mix to make whatever the hell it is. Come on people street drugs are not your momma’s medicine. WHY consume something you have no effing idea who’s asshole its been up or what pesticide container was scraped or what it REALLY is.

Anarchist in Arcata
Guest
Anarchist in Arcata
3 years ago

“it’s not real fent”

hahah

Buzz
Guest
Buzz
3 years ago

Is the penny:powder picture to show how little of this poison can be fatal?

Mendocino Mamma
Guest
Mendocino Mamma
3 years ago
Reply to  Buzz

YES

joda stevenson
Guest
joda stevenson
3 years ago
Reply to  Buzz

Wouldn’t that be micrograms….

justanotherperson
Guest
justanotherperson
3 years ago

Im not advocating substance misuse, but rather harm reduction. Everyone, please please please be careful if you’re taking opioid pills that you didn’t get from your own pharmacy prescription. Even if its for an injury, there’s too much BS out there these days. Most often the “pressed” or counterfeit pills look like blue 30mg oxycodone or Roxie’s. “M” seems to be the most prevalent image on the pills, but all Roxie’s are suspect these days, A51, 215. I’ve heard of fentanyl pressed green 15mg and even the white 5-10mg RP oxys. If you’re getting “xanax” bars from someone selling, chances are its also a counterfeit pill pressed with something that’s not alprazolam (the benzodiazepine in xanax).

I’m relatively young and have seen far too many people OD and die on these things, thinking they’re doing something from the pharmacy.

Me
Guest
Me
3 years ago

don’t take pills unless prescribed by your doctor and bought at a pharmacy , ever

Mendocino Mamma
Guest
Mendocino Mamma
3 years ago
Reply to  Me

💯✔
That is why REAL medications have lot #s and are filled with perscriptions.
To
#1 track for issues/recalls.
#2 know of allergics/reactionz/potential.
#3 prevent missuse.

US Marine, no fear, no filter.
Guest
US Marine, no fear, no filter.
3 years ago

I don’t blame them, life is shit.

Mr Right
Guest
Mr Right
3 years ago

They choose to take drugs. Using weed and heroin and this crap is a CHOICE. You pick your poison, you die from it. Bad choices make bad endings, whether it is a drug fiend or a criminal. IE Saint Floyd and Good Boy Daunte. RIP lucidity. Thanks, libs (destroying America since 1969).

Jim’s Guest Is Someone Else’s Wife
Guest
Jim’s Guest Is Someone Else’s Wife
3 years ago

Well, there’s 8 mouth-breathers that won’t be stealing from law abiding, tax paying citizens to support their habit anymore. Bravo!

Condolences to their families, I guess. A true family would have interceded in such behavior and ensured it stopped.

HotCoffee
Guest
HotCoffee
3 years ago

Easy to say, so much harder to do.
I hope you never find out how hard.

Local Family
Guest
Local Family
3 years ago

this

Just saying
Guest
Just saying
3 years ago

The problem isn’t just the drugs it’s the jail for not keeping anyone that’s brought in. Cite and release is the new norm maybe if there was consequences for selling these drugs we wouldn’t have so much on the streets. Just saying

Prometheus
Guest
Prometheus
3 years ago

A very sad situation and a perfect example of why people shouldn’t buy street drugs…

North west
Guest
North west
3 years ago

Jim’s, That is not fair at all to the families of kids that has passed away.
Many parents have enlisted the whole family and rehabilitation hospitals time and time again.
This dirty drugs have such a hold on some. It’s so sad but they know they’re gonna die Just not this time.
Some times the families are crap but not nearly all are. They don’t need more guilt than they have already

Jim’s Guest Is Someone Else’s Wife
Guest
Jim’s Guest Is Someone Else’s Wife
3 years ago
Reply to  North west

True family would’ve beat holy hell out of a young’un doing any kind of drug prior to adulthood. And if behavior that was threatening to the family was being exhibited as an adult, that adult would have been steered on the right path by strong, true family, by force if necessary. It’s real simple. If you ain’t around the shit and your family is looking out for you and teaching and guiding you, you ain’t going to be hanging around good for nothings and ne’er do wells. Therefore, you won’t be tempted to do the shit in the first place.

North west
Guest
North west
3 years ago

You sound like my son there Jim’s
He’s the best man I know. Still a little bit innocent thinking though

Captain O.B. Venus
Guest
Captain O.B. Venus
3 years ago

As if addicts will take advice from the comment section…

Addicts will be addicts. They will continue to share first prize in the Darwin Cup. Next!

Rollin
Guest
Rollin
3 years ago

Open borders. Expect more fentanyl. Expect more overdoses. Thank a liberal. Yes it’s political.

Prometheus
Guest
Prometheus
3 years ago
Reply to  Rollin

Spot on Rollin…

Life really sucks
Guest
Life really sucks
3 years ago

God just reading some of these mean very cold, ignorant,mean.sick comments from these judging, think ur shit dont dont side,call ur self human makes me not want to be a human. You better hope one of ur loved ones dont become a addict or ur self god will show you what it’s really like.

cu2morrow
Guest
cu2morrow
3 years ago

I blame the Chinese

HotCoffee
Guest
HotCoffee
3 years ago

Meanwhile 2 MS 13 stopped at California border and 1 in Texas yesterday. Wonder how many didn’t get stopped.
Kamala showing off her knitting at yarn stores.
Kamala eats cake.
Kamala spends Easter in LA where murders are up 175% since
January, while she celebrates.
Biden creates more EO’s to wreck the country.
God help us if that 3 am phone call comes.
Who is really running the WH?