‘Dramatic increase’ seen, as 10 Whatcom deaths in March reportedly linked to fentanyl
Whatcom County had 10 deaths during the month of March related to fentanyl use, as the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office said the drug “continues to be a danger to our community.”
The sheriff’s office made a public safety announcement on Facebook about the dangers of fentanyl Thursday, March 31, saying that the 10 deaths were a “dramatic increase.”
“Often, users may have no idea what is in the drugs they use or the potency until it’s too late,” the post read.
The sheriff’s office is still awaiting some final numbers from 2021 from the Whatcom County Medical Examiner’s Office to put the 10 deaths last month into better perspective, spokesperson Deb Slater told The Bellingham Herald in an email Friday, April 1, but she said the Whatcom Gang and Drug Task Force reports that:
▪ The first recognized case in Whatcom County involving fentanyl (in its now common counterfeit blue “M30” pill form that is made to look like oxycodone) was in 2018.
▪ There were four fentanyl-related overdose deaths in 2019 in Whatcom County.
▪ There were 23 fentanyl-related overdose deaths in 2020 in Whatcom County.
▪ There were 11 fentanyl-related overdose deaths during the first quarter of 2021 (January through March) in Whatcom County.
“All cities across the country are seeing this spike,” Slater wrote in her email to The Herald. “An increase in supply means competition among the dealers, which means lower prices. The price per pill has decreased by about 75%.”
In addition to the blue, M30 pill form, fentanyl also is seen as a white powder, according to the sheriff’s office post.
“The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office urges people to take precautions and become knowledgeable about the dangers this drug poses,” the post read. “Parents should talk with their children in regards to taking illicit drugs or prescription pills that are bought on the street or given to them by others. Prescription pills should only be taken from a licensed pharmacy with a valid prescription.
“If you suspect someone has overdosed, immediately call 9-1-1 and advise them it is a suspected overdose. If available, administer Narcan or start life-saving efforts until medical help arrives.”
The Blaine Police Department shared the sheriff’s office post, adding, “The idea that there are people out there manufacturing a potentially lethal substance is beyond my comprehension. Life is way too short. Be careful.”
The Whatcom County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office posted about an increase in cases involving fentanyl in May of 2020, saying “Fentanyl is now being distributed within our community at an alarming rate,” adding, “It’s more dangerous than ever to take medication without a prescription with fentanyl in our community.”
Thursday’s sheriff’s office post offered the following links for information on the dangers of fentanyl:
▪ nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/fentanyl
▪ dea.gov/resources/facts-about-fentanyl
▪ cdc.gov/stopoverdose/fentanyl/index.html
▪ justice.gov/opioidawareness/opioid-facts
