A small Kentucky sheriff’s department has seized enough fentanyl to kill 2 million Americans within five years, officials announced Tuesday.
Residents of Madison County — home of central Kentucky Fewer 100,000 people, The deadly drug is “easily accessible,” said Sheriff’s Deputy Tony Terry, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. local CBS News Bureau.
County deputies have seized nearly 8 pounds of fentanyl over the past five years.
Terry said, “2.2 pounds is a kilogram. That’s enough to kill 500,000 people. It’s very easy to access. And [there are] There are so many ways to use it. It is mixed with many drugs. ”
A lethal dose of a drug can be as small as a pencil lead.
The deputy said many fatal overdoses are caused by drug users unknowingly ingesting fentanyl.
“Drug users sometimes don’t realize they’re taking drugs. That’s the unfortunate thing. They put it into their body. They don’t survive.” Terry said.
What Voices of Hope Recovery Center in Lexington offers program The organization provides support to combat the epidemic, including more than 1,000 recovery conferences each year and a mobile van service that supports people struggling with addiction on the streets.
“Maybe they were in college and partying. Their friends are doing it. I think people don’t want to do dangerous drugs like fentanyl. It’s just a matter of time. It’s something that progresses with the program,” said Gary Biggers, program coordinator.
“That’s what affects me the most, because I lost friends to fentanyl overdoses. They didn’t realize they were doing fentanyl,” Biggers said. Told. He uses his experience as a former drug addict to help others overcome drug addiction.
He added: “We need to get better as a community to help people recover.” And help people recognize the dangers of fentanyl. ”
