VIDEO: Overdose-related calls more than quadrupled in September on Kauai, which has first responders concerned.
“We’ve seen a dramatic increase of these opiate overdoses,” said Cody Bonilla, county supervisor for the Kauai Emergency Medical Services, “We’re seeing the cases being linked to fentanyl.”
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic drug, extremely addicting and growing in use. It’s being mixed into counterfeit prescription pills and street drugs.
In September, Kauai Emergency Medical Services responded to 18 overdose calls. Of those, five patients died. That’s a huge jump from August, when EMS responded to just four overdose calls, with no fatalities. And in July, it was even lower, Narcan was used only twice by EMS, again without fatalities.
“Absolutely concerned,” said KPD Assistant Chief Bryson Ponce.