HARLINGEN, Texas – First responders in the Rio Grande Valley are facing a surge in fentanyl-related overdose calls, with 12 reported cases in Cameron County since last week, eight of which were fatal.
Cameron County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Alvaro Guerra emphasized the new challenge posed by the presence of fentanyl in the area, stating that although they have received training, this is the first time they are applying it in the field.
Law enforcement officials are working diligently to identify the source and bad batch of drugs responsible for the overdoses. The sheriff’s office is currently investigating three separate cases linked to fentanyl overdoses, including that of a 29-year-old man found dead in Harlingen.
Cameron County Public Health Authority Dr. James Castillo highlighted the potency of fentanyl, a powerful opioid that is 100 times stronger than morphine. He explained that an overdose can lead to such extreme sedation that the individual stops breathing.
Furthermore, officials stressed that fentanyl is often mixed with other drugs, leading individuals to unwittingly ingest it. This makes it challenging for people to recognize when they are consuming the potent substance.
The surge in fentanyl-related incidents in the Rio Grande Valley has prompted multiple law enforcement agencies to work collaboratively in their efforts to address the crisis.