FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The Fayetteville Police Department (FPD) said their officers responded to three overdose calls on Saturday, June 29. Now, it's leading to a conversation around drug usage in Northwest Arkansas.
"This stuff is out here. It's highly dangerous," Sgt. Stephen Mauk with FPD said.
According to the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH), 510 people died from an overdose in Arkansas in 2023.
Mauk said fentanyl-related overdoses in Fayetteville have been common in recent years.
"Obviously, it's a significant issue," Mauk said. "Last year, we had 29 instances of our officers administering Naloxone, potentially saving lives. This year, we're right at 10."
He says the slightly lower rate could have a lot to do with educational awareness and drug task forces confiscating large amounts of fentanyl in the last few weeks.
"We had over 3,000 doses of fentanyl that was interdicted and confiscated during an investigation," Mauk said. "So they're making serious inroads in combating a very dangerous narcotic that's becoming an issue across the nation."
Mauk said fentanyl is becoming increasingly more dangerous because it can be laced in commonly used recreational drugs like marijuana.
"Fentanyl is even more dangerous than maybe drugs in the past, a very small amount can be deadly," he said.
Mauk encourages people not to use illicit drugs since there are so many unknowns.
"Don't partake," he said. "Don't take a chance. That stuff is out there. It's being laced with other drugs. So it's just not worth it. It can be exceedingly deadly. We've seen it over [and] over again."
Naloxone can be found at most Walgreens stores.
Central EMS says to be sure to check the expiration before using, not leave it in a hot car, and always call 911 after administering.
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