Fentanyl in Shenandoah County
Fentanyl. Some people were openly shocked by it being found here in Shenandoah County. Many were even more upset when informed of it’s details and potency. It came to light when Shenandoah County Sheriff Timothy Carter put out a public service announcement bringing attention to the opioid’s discovery by a School Resource Officer at a Shenandoah County Public School campus in September of this year.
The deadly substance is amongst us and our children and yet, so many people remain in the dark about what Fentanyl is and why it is such a threat. Let’s go into some of the details on Fentanyl itself .
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid made legally by pharmaceutical companies and used by doctors to treat severe pain. It's also produced illegally which is used to fulfill wants in the street drug market. It is often mixed with heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine to increase the potency and or effect of these substances. Fentanyl is also distributed on it's own in pill form for use. These pills can be taken whole or crushed to be smoked, snorted, or injected. Fentanyl use has skyrocketed over the last 5 years due to the opioid epidemic in our country and it's affordability, availability, and it's extreme potency. Fentanyl has 100 times more potency than morphine and is reported to be 50 times stronger than pure heroin according to the ADA and CDC. That itself makes this substance strong enough to be fatal to someone who even mistakenly touches it or breathes it in. Countless news stories from all over the country report law enforcement officers being hospitalized and/ or needing immediate treatment from coming into contact with these substances during arrests or investigations. These are grown adults, and if they are being put into life-threatening medical situations from just coming in contact with fentanyl, it is apparent what a danger this is to a toddler or young adult. The small colorful pills that resemble candy makes the threat even more serious to children. This is part of the marketing strategy of the illegal drug trade, to make the pills look festive or fun, even though the end result after an overdose or addiction is far from enjoyable. It actually is quite the opposite. Nationwide, fatalities from overdoses have subsided due to the availability of narcan, however this doesn’t mean that the danger is gone. If anything, it just complicates data and reports, making it look to some like the use has gone down.
Sheriff Carter stated when asked about calls for service regarding Fentanyl; “ certainly, when we encounter these types of calls, if a criminal charge can be made, we make it. However, the larger issue is The lethality of these pressed fentanyl pills, the powerful addiction that takes over a person when they start down this path, and the accessibility that press fentanyl pills of games just in the past few months.” Carter added that these pills are “inexpensive , costing on average $17 per pill and easily obtained.” During the recent candidate forums Shenandoah County Commonwealth Attorney Amanda Wisely had mentioned the amount of Fentanyl in Shenandoah County and how our County was a leader in the area for possession of the substance. Her office also worked on a prosecution a few years ago where Fentanyl was trafficked through our County to Northern Virginia that was linked to drug cartels. It’s been long known that Interstate 81 has been used as a drug supply route feeding the Northeastern United States, so it should not be surprising that it's found in our area. The drug is produced in Mexico and smuggled across our southern border. DEA Administrator Anne Milgram advised that ; “The DEA’s top operational priority is to defeat the two Mexican drug cartels - the Sinaloa and Jalisco (CJNG) cartels - that are primarily responsible for the fentanyl that is killing Americans today.”
Bringing information to light in our community is a major part of combating this drug in our area, Sheriff Carter added that; “I am trying to make parents and family members aware of The lethality, and what to look for if they encounter such pills.” Fentanyl being found on a school campus led to a discussion with Dr. Melody Sheppard, Superintendent of Shenandoah County Public Schools echoed similar sentiments about educating parents and children, stating that; “Parents and Guardians play a major role in keeping their students drug-free, and we want to keep these issues in the Forefront of their minds. Together we can ensure that all students experience a positive learning environment.” SCPS has to be at the tip of the spear in drug education and offers many programs to help educate children at early ages about drugs. Sheppard went on to add the following; “ Unfortunately, the drug epidemic in our country affects our schools. Teaching students to make smart decisions from an early age is key. Drug education is part of our Family Life Curriculum, which begins in fourth grade. We appreciate our partnership with the Shenandoah County Sheriff’s Office, including programs such as D.A.R.E.(Drug Abuse Resistance Education). D.A.R.E. educates our fifth grade students about the dangers of drugs and how to make responsible decisions. Last spring, the Sheriff’s Office and Northwestern Community Services Board also held a Hidden in Plain Sight program at Central High School, which SCPS helped advertise to our families. Hidden in Plain Sight is a drug awareness program for parents, providers, and guardians.”
Dr. Sheppard also added that “The safety and security of our students and staff are our top priority. We want all students to meet their full potential in a drug-free, supportive learning environment.”
The community should work together to combat this drug being amongst our community and in particular our children. The school system cannot inform the community alone, it’s up to everyone. Remember that the smallest amount of Fentanyl could be fatal to a child. As a parent of two young boys, this has caused me much alarm. It should you as well. Contact your local law enforcement if you discover it, it can be lethal. Get help if you or someone who you know is using this and/or other drugs, your next time might be lethal. Students please report anything you might see to trusted adult immediately.
This is indeed a threat to us all. The Commonwealth of Virginia has declared Fentanyl as a weapon of terrorism. Reaching out is vital.
Call 911 in an emergency or:
Shenandoah County Department of Social Services 540-459-6226
Shenandoah County Sheriff’s Department – 540-459-6100
By Mike Scheibe
New Market
A recent arrest involving Shenandoah County Sheriff’s Department and other law enforcement agencies netted 3500 pressed Fentanyl pills, a 9mm hand gun and $12,000 in cash. The Freedom Press will follow up on the case as it develops further.
Comments