Fentanyl-laced cocaine has taken the life of one OBcean and killed two people in Pacific Beach recently. Two other people survived an overdose. The identities of those affected are not known.
No details have been reported about the death in OB but the 2 PB victims who died – between 30 and 47 years old – were found in a home after relatives grew concerned of the lack of communication from one of them. However, the toxicology results show the victims ingested cocaine laced with fentanyl.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that can be deadly even in very small doses, as it is 50 times more potent than heroin and 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine.
The Center for Disease Control reports fentanyl overdoses are increasing across the country, as part of the larger opioid epidemic. And San Diego has not escaped the national trend. County health official report there’s been 81 cases of fatal fentanyl-related overdoses in 2017, double the number of reported deaths in 2016. Wilma Wooten, the county’s public health officer, stated:
“These cases show the deadly and unknown nature of drugs that are being sold on the street. If you or someone you know is in need of drug treatment, please get help.”
San Diego County residents seeking drug treatment can contact the county’s Access and Crisis Line 24/7 at (888) 724-7240.
At least officials has seen this coming. On Friday, nearly a week after this latest round of deaths at the beach, the DA’s office, the SDPD the DEA, and County health officials issued a Public Warning reminding the public of the dangers of fentanyl-laced cocaine currently being sold on San Diego streets.
There’s also been some fentanyl-laced heroin and meth found in drugs seized by the DEA.
Fentanyl can be so dangerous that for most people, just 2 milligrams can be fatal. It is typically used to treat sudden episodes of pain in cancer patients at least 18 years old, and it works by changing the way the brain and nervous system respond to the pain. However, fentanyl tends to be addictive and habit forming.
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On Tuesday 1/29/2019 evening there was a large S.D.P.D. and S.D. Co. HazMat presence on W. Pt. Loma Blvd. where it forms a T-intersection with Cable St. An O.B. Facebook administrator advised me:
3 overdoses, 1 fatal
Fentanyl laced cocaine