Media Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Megan Larson, 612-919-5918
Hennepin County Sheriff's Office Focus on Fentanyl Initiative Marks One Year with New Episode on Teen Who Died from One Pill
October 2, 2024 (MINNEAPOLIS) – The Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office launched the Focus on Fentanyl initiative over a year ago, aiming to raise public awareness about the dangers of what is now considered the deadliest drug in our communities - fentanyl. This video series has spotlighted both our enforcement efforts and the heartbreaking stories of families who have lost loved ones to fentanyl. A recurring theme in these stories is that many individuals unknowingly consume fentanyl, as it is often disguised or mixed with other substances, including Percocet, Oxycodone, Adderall, cocaine, Xanax, and more. Just .002 grams – about the size of the tip of a pen – can be fatal.
To address this crisis, the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office offers Narcan training and distribution, alongside resources for treating addiction. Our goal is to provide residents with the tools to recognize signs of addiction, while emphasizing the lifesaving importance of opioid antagonists like Narcan, even for those who believe they may never need it.
Education is a cornerstone of the Focus on Fentanyl initiative, but enforcement remains critical. This year alone, our Major Crimes Division has confiscated over 14 pounds of fentanyl powder and more than 22,000 fentanyl pills – an amount capable of killing every person in Hennepin County twice.
“In a perfect world, illicit fentanyl would not exist. But the reality is that it’s killing our community members nearly every single day,” says Dawanna Witt, Sheriff of Hennepin County. “Focus on Fentanyl aims to educate parents, friends, family, neighbors and highlight that anyone can lose their life – or the life of their loved one – with just one pill. Today, we bring you Katie’s story, a teen who had no idea that what she was taking had a deadly amount of fentanyl in it. We are thinking of Katie’s family and friends today and we are grateful they let us share her story.”
Click here to watch Katie's story.
To watch all episodes of Focus on Fentanyl, click here or visit our YouTube page www.youtube.com/@hennepinsheriff.
For more information on the opioid crisis and how you can support those struggling with addiction, please visit www.hennepinsheriff.org.
About the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office:
The Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) is charged with keeping and preserving the peace in Hennepin County, the most populated county in Minnesota with nearly 1.3 million residents. The HCSO’s full strength is approximately 900 employees and is comprised of six bureaus: Public Safety Services, Investigations, Administrative Services, Public Affairs, Court and Field Services, and Detention Services. The Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office is a proactive organization that participates in and hosts community programs to promote positive interactions with law enforcement.
The Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office is led by Sheriff Dawanna S. Witt, who was sworn in on January 3, 2023.
– HCSO–
Look for more news on the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office website at hennepinsheriff.org.
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