The shutdown caused by the outbreak of COVID-19 has caused considerable pain for Arizonan across the state. Since April of this year, nearly 600 people in Pinal County have had a suspected opioid overdose, according to the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office.
Many of these overdoses have been caused by illegal counterfeit pills containing fentanyl.
So far in 2020, The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office has succeeded in taking 300,000 counterfeit fentanyl pills off the streets. That is up dramatically from just 700 pills in 2019.
All PCSO deputies already carry Narcan. Now, in an effort to save even more lives, PCSO is also making Narcan available for the residents of Pinal County at no cost.
“We have seen too many people lose their lives due to drug overdose this year,” said Sheriff Mark Lamb. “If you or a loved one uses opioids recreationally or for pain management, Narcan is now available to you, no questions asked.”