With statewide events drawing a large number of visitors in the coming weeks, Governor Mark Gordon and state leaders are reminding the public about the dangers of fentanyl, a narcotic that is becoming increasingly prevalent across the entire country, including Wyoming. Sheridan Media’s Ron Richter has the details.
Fentanyl Use on the Rise
According to Gordon’s office, first responders are seeing an increase in fentanyl overdoses throughout the state and fentanyl seizures by law enforcement have been rising steadily over the past two years. Fentanyl has shown up in Wyoming in both powder and pill form and it may be used to mix with other illicit drugs without the user knowing. Even small doses of the powerful opioid can be lethal.
Data from the Wyoming Department of Criminal Investigation (DCI) and Wyoming Department of Health show the increasing presence of fentanyl in Wyoming. In 2019 Wyoming had 17 reported synthetic opioid-involved overdose deaths among residents. In 2021 that number jumped to 42, and 17 deaths have been recorded in the first few months of 2022, according to the Wyoming Department of Health. DCI data shows that the number of fentanyl cases among all law-enforcement agencies more than doubled between 2019 and 2021, rising from 15 to 38.
Since 2020 there has been a 200 percent increase in the number of items containing suspected fentanyl that have been analyzed by the State Crime Lab. Governor Gordon has asked his cabinet to develop plans for how to fight this drug, work with local law enforcement and bring recommendations to him. Law enforcement agencies and emergency medical service providers around the state are utilizing naloxone, better known as narcan, which is a medicine that rapidly reverses an opioid overdose. In addition, the Wyoming Department of Health has applied for the federal State Opioid Response Grant, which would include resources for naloxone distribution.
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Last modified: July 27, 2022