Drug users and dealers who recklessly expose first responders to fentanyl and cause them to overdose will now face additional penalties thanks to a new law signed by Governor Ron DeSantis Monday. Body camera footage from August of last year, captured a Flagler County Sheriff’s Deputy suffering a suspected fentanyl overdose after handling narcotics that later tested positive for the substance.
The incident is one of a growing number of incidents where first responders have exhibited signs of overdose after coming in contact with fentanyl, oftentimes resulting in the use of Narcan to reverse the symptoms.
“When law enforcement personnel are responding to these situations that fentanyl may be involved in, you know they really are putting themselves at risk,” said Governor Ron DeSantis during a Monday press conference.