New Fentanyl Poses Serious Threat To Putnam County

Heroin laced with dangerous fentanyl is becoming more prevalent in the Upper Cumberland.

Putnam County Sheriff Eddie Farris said deputies targeted heroin in last weeks drug bust. Farris said this fentanyl is not pharmaceutical grade, posing a serious threat to anyone who comes across it.

“It’s dangerous to law enforcement and first responders. EMS people who are dealing with them all the time,” Farris said. “This is one of those things, if you touch it or smell the right amount, inhale it. It certainly can mean immediate death.”

Farris said the new form of fentanyl is being made in China.

Farris said there is training for EMS and law enforcement on fentanyl safety. He said for when searching or contacting someone who could have the drug on their person.

“We’re constantly doing training to all of our first responders and our law enforcement and sheriff’s office personnel that’s using that,” Farris said. “Anytime you’re searching somebody and making arrests, it’s always a danger.”

Farris said only a small amount of fentanyl has to be mixed into heroin to make it lethal.