Jackson County Public Health has issued an alert for accidental overdoses or poisoning related to illicit opioids -- specifically fentanyl.
Health officials said this alert has been issued based on an increase in law enforcement and emergency medical service responses as well as emergency department admissions related to opioids from March 24th-March 29th.
Illicitly manufactured fentanyl started to become more common in the Rogue Valley beginning in 2018. In early 2021, fentanyl became the predominant illicit opioid sold and used in Jackson County.
Fentanyl can be sold as counterfeit pills such as oxycontin or in a powder form which can look like other drugs such as cocaine and methamphetamine. It can be mixed with other opioids such as heroin. The increased presence of fentanyl in the local drug supply increases the risk of poisoning or overdosing for people who are experimenting with drugs, who use recreationally and are not intentionally using it.
Jackson County Public Health is encouraging the medical community, community partners, parents, family and friends, people who occasionally use recreational drugs and people with an active substance abuse disorder to be aware of the increase in overdoses associated with illicit opioids.
Officials say there is no safe way to use opioids like fentanyl, but there are steps that can be taken to help reduce the risk of overdosing. The street drug supply is unpredictable and inconsistent. Assume there is a risk of drug poisoning or overdosing no matter what drug is used.
