News Flash

The Skagit County Interlocal Drug Enforcement Unit (SCIDEU) is concerned that “hot” batches of fentanyl products continue to flow into our community. While SCIDEU works to disrupt the flow of this dangerous drug into the community they want the public to remain on high alert.

“The slogan we have rallied behind is ‘just one pill can kill’” said Tobin Meyer, commander of the drug enforcement unit. “But it now goes beyond pills. The drug cartels have started supplying more and more powder fentanyl directly into our communities.” Meyer continued, “Fentanyl is dominating the drug market in Skagit County, the state and the nation and everyone has been impacted by this. This is not going to end anytime soon and we have to continue good work as a community to raise awareness, educate our kids and work with the most vulnerable members of our community to provide services to help mitigate the impacts this is having.”

Skagit County EMS Director Josh Pelonio has the following guidance for those who come upon a suspected fentanyl overdose:

1. Don’t Run – The Good Samaritan Law protects you and the OD victim from drug possession charges.
2. Call 911 – Emergency dispatchers can provide additional life-saving instructions.
3. If available - give Naloxone spray in the nose – Follow the product instructions that come with the kit.
4. Start CPR – Roll victim onto back and provide chest compressions until EMS arrives or they wake up.

The 2023 SCIDEU year-end report will be released later this month. Seizure statistics, that will be featured in the report, show that counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl continue to make up a large portion of the illicit drug supply in Skagit County. Perhaps more alarming is the increase in the rate of powder fentanyl seized by the drug task force in 2023 as compared to 2022.

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