11 March 2024
GREAT BEND, Kan. (KSNW) — First responders rushed to two separate drug overdoses in Barton County in the past two weeks and saved the victims. The sheriff believes both of the overdoses were because of fentanyl.
“In both incidents, the individuals became unresponsive, and EMS as well as law enforcement were called,” Sheriff Brian Bellendir said in a news release. “In both cases, we have reason to believe suspected fentanyl had been ingested shortly prior to the individual becoming unconscious.”
He said Kansas is just like the rest of the country, seeing an increase in fentanyl in the last two to three years. It is often disguised as a prescription pain medication.
Bellendir says China ships the chemicals to Mexico, where they are turned into fentanyl and smuggled across the border.
“Locally, we have seen far more fentanyl in the last two years than ever before,” he said. “All patrol units, as well as the jail, are equipped with Narcan in the event an officer is accidentally exposed, or we need to render aid to a citizen.
The sheriff’s office is searching for the source of the drugs in the most recent overdose cases.