The Marshall Police Department (MPD) has responded to multiple overdoses in the last few weeks according to a press release. Some of the victims of these incidents have reported believing they had taken Percocet, with another reporting smoking marijuana. Officers were able to use the NARCAN nasal spray to revive several of the overdose victims.

According to the CDC, 107,375 people in the United States died of drug overdoses and drug poisonings in the 12 months ending in January 2022. A staggering 67 percent of those deaths involved synthetic opioids like fentanyl. Some of these deaths were attributed to fentanyl mixed with other illicit drugs like cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin, with many users unaware they were taking fentanyl. Only two milligrams of fentanyl are considered a potentially lethal dose; it is particularly dangerous for someone who does not have a tolerance to opioids.

The MPD would like to spread the word to prevent fentanyl-related overdose death and poisonings from claiming scores of lives every day and asks parents speak to children about only taking prescribed medication from a physician. No matter how old your child is, please take some time and speak with them about this. Friends have a strong influence in their lives, but be the voice of reason in their heads.