Christian Peterson
reporter@riverbendnews.org
On Wednesday, Aug. 16, the Suwannee County Sheriff's Office (SCSO) and Suwannee County School District (SCSD) released a joint statement to combat public fears regarding the fentanyl crisis across the United States.
Recently, reports have circulated throughout the North-Central Florida area of dollar bills being laced with fentanyl and then being left out for innocent passersby to pick up and be affected by. Reports even began circulating that such cash was being left outside the Branford Public Library. SCSO responded to the rumors with a statement to Riverbend News and a joint statement with the SCSD. SCSO said that there was a dollar bill found on the ground outside of the Branford library. However, presumptive testing was not 100 percent, and further testing was needed. “If you are worried, don't touch things on the ground; call us and we will take care of it,” Sheriff Sam St. John said.
SCSO went further in their statement with SCSD, giving educational information about the dangers of fentanyl, as well as how the federal government and law enforcement agencies were working to combat the crisis. The website, dea.gov/onepill, gives extensive information about the crisis. In 2022, the United States Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), seized more than 58.3 million fentanyl-laced fake pills and over 13,000 pounds of fentanyl powder. As of writing, in 2023, they have seized 46.4 million fentanyl pills and 6,900 pounds of fentanyl powder.
The website also contains information to make the public aware of the dangers of fentanyl. In 2022, six out of 10 fake prescription pills were laced with a potentially lethal dose of fentanyl. In fact, only two milligrams of fentanyl is enough to kill the average American.
Everyone should be aware that using prescription pills not prescribed to them can be deadly. Fake pills are easy to buy and incredibly dangerous; parents should warn teenagers of the potentially deadly effects that these pills could have on them.
“Locally, both the SCSO and the SCSD have individuals trained in first aid response and the administration of potentially life- saving NARCAN in the event of an exposure or overdose,” the two entities said in their joint statement. “While the sole responsibility for safety lies with each individual, to prevent exposure and overdose, both of our agencies are equipped to utilize the tools necessary to render first-responder aid to citizens in the community and those within our school. Please consider educating yourself via information provided by local, state and federal governmental agencies, such as this joint communication, and not relying on or believing everything posted on social media platforms.” To learn more about fentanyl, its dangers and how to protect yourself, visit dea.gov/onepill or justice.gov.