Police say Fentanyl on the rise in GF

Great Falls Seeing Increase in Overdose Reports and Deaths Related to Opiates

Great Falls Police and investigators with the Russell County Drug Task Force have seen an alarming increase in the number of reported overdoses and overdoses resulting in death. From January 1st through March 31st of this year, there were 28 suspected overdoses with 1 resulting in death.

Already this month, April 1st – April 5th, there have been 5 suspected overdoses including 2 deaths. To accompany the overdose reports, Narcan has reportedly been used 30 times this year. These incidents are ones that are known to law enforcement and there are likely several other overdoses and Narcan uses that have gone unreported.

These overdoses are the result of a significant increase in the number of fake Oxycodone pills in Cascade County. Fake Oxycodone pills are small round pills shaded a light blue color and commonly have the markings “M” and “30” on opposing sides. 

Street names for these pills include “blues, thirties, and fetties.”  Criminal drug networks are mass-producing fake Oxycodone pills in crude, unregulated labs. Fake Oxycodone pills are pressed together using binding agents and varying amounts of Fentanyl. Because the amount of Fentanyl in these pills varies, users have no way of knowing the dosage they will receive.     

Fentanyl is an extremely powerful opioid, 100 times more potent than Morphine. It is important to know that a lethal dosage of fentanyl is just two milligrams, which is equivalent in size to a few grains of salt. 

Common paraphernalia found with fake Oxycodone and opiate use include syringes, aluminum foil with dark trails, spoons with burn marks, and “snort tubes.”

Signs of an opioid overdose include unconsciousness or unresponsive, slowed or stopped breathing, snoring or gurgling sounds, cold or clammy skin, and discolored lips or fingernails. If you encounter someone you suspect has overdosed, call 911 immediately, start CPR if needed, give Narcan if you have it, and once the person is breathing again, place them in the recovery position (on their side). 

Great Falls has several addiction treatment resources available for both adults and youths.  Information about available resources and options can be found by searching “Great Falls opioid addiction” on the World Wide Web.   

To assist in combating the distribution of this or other illegal narcotics, you can contact the Russell Country Drug Task Force by calling 406-452-5818.  Tips may also be sent by private message to the GFPD Facebook page.

Another excellent way to provide anonymous information is through the P3 Tip app, or by logging on to P3TIPS.COM. If you allow push notifications on your phone when submitting a tip, an investigator will be able to contact you through the app directly. Your phone number is not made available to the investigator, which allows you to remain anonymous.

Lastly, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) partners with the local drug task force and also has a tip line at https://www.dea.gov/submit-tip.

MEDIA CONTACT: Tony Munkres – Lt     406-455-8522    amunkres@greatfallsmt.net