Imperial Valley Press

Calexico Police Department urges public awareness amidst rising fentanyl overdoses

- STAFF REPORT

CALEXICO — The Calexico Police Department is deeply concerned about the alarming increase in fentanyl overdoses within our community.

According to a press release from the Calexico Police Department, over the past few weeks, the department has witnessed a troubling surge in the number of overdoses, with the majority of cases involving suspected narcotic users. In response to this urgent public health crisis, the Calexico Police and Fire Department­s have been actively engaged in efforts to address and mitigate the impact of these overdoses.

The release states,

“Our first responders have been trained to administer Naloxone, a life-saving medication that can reverse the effects of opioid overdoses. In recent incidents, our officers have assisted in administer­ing Naloxone to a half dozen suspected overdose victims, successful­ly reviving most individual­s who were on the brink of death.”

“While we are grateful for the opportunit­y to intervene and save lives, it is imperative that we collective­ly work towards preventing these overdoses from occurring in the first place,” the release reads. “Fentanyl is an extremely potent synthetic opioid that is significan­tly more potent than other opioids like heroin and morphine. Even a small amount of fentanyl can lead to overdose and death,” it reads.

The Calexico Police Department urges the public to remain vigilant and aware of the dangers posed by fentanyl. The police department strongly advises against the use of illicit drugs, as there is no way to guarantee their purity or potency.

“Additional­ly, we enourage those who may be struggling with substance abuse to seek help and support from local resources and treatment providers,” the press release reads. “We are committed to working collaborat­ively with our community partners to combat the spread of fentanyl and to ensure the safety and well-being of all residents in Calexico. Together, we can make a difference and save lives.”

For more informatio­n or assistance, please contact the Calexico Police Department at (760)7682140.

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IVP FILE PHOTO / ADOBE STOCK PHOTO

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