There have only been two fentanyl-related deaths in Daviess County thus far this year — down from 15 and 10 at this point in 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Coroner Jeff Jones said that oftentimes when a fentanyl overdose occurs, the victim likely has other drugs such as methamphetamine or opiates in their system. He said that means the coroner’s office often records the death as caused by drug intoxication.
Even with that distinction, Jones noted that fentanyl deaths are still at a low compared to recent years.
“I can tell you that in the number of cases that we had so far this year, we have had two that have had fentanyl in their system when they died,” he said.
Daviess County Sheriff Brad Youngman and Owensboro Police Department Deputy Chief J.D. Winkler said that while deaths from the drug have decreased, fentanyl is not out of Owensboro.
Winkler said that in the last 6 months, OPD has taken in 16,000 fentanyl pills through their narcotics department’s investigations.
“I can tell you the way that we’re approaching it, I would like to think has had an effect,” Winkler said. “…The way we have been having our narcotics detectives tackle it is not necessarily to focus on the low-level addicts and drug dealers that are just selling to support their habit. We’re trying to knock off the significant dealers and the sources they come in.”
Youngman similarly said DCSO is still seizing both fentanyl-laced drugs and fentanyl itself.
“We’ve recovered quite a bit of fentanyl. A lot of the drug dealers we’ve charged here lately had fentanyl in their possession so it’s definitely out there. It’s everywhere,” he said.
Both Youngman and Winkler suggested the decrease in deaths may be linked to the education and proactive steps both agencies are taking regarding the drug.
Youngman said there is a higher awareness about fentanyl, and there has also been increased enforcement by DCSO with their new drug unit that he believes adds to the impact.
“Plus the fact that we’re passing out Narcan for free at different agencies, that has to send a message to people that they don’t need to be doing drugs,” Youngman said.
Winkler said while a focus is always removing drugs from the community, OPD is also working to ensure the drugs never make it in. He reiterated a main focus is on the larger dealers that are bringing narcotics into the area.
Another dangerous drug, carfentanil, has reportedly been found in growing amounts in Evansville and Vanderburgh County. Winkler said OPD has yet to deal with it in Owensboro, although he isn’t dismissing its potential presence. Youngman said it’s possible DCSO has seized some but has not got anything back from a lab report that confirms they have handled it to date.
Jones added that he has not seen dealt with any deaths that caused by carfentanil, and he hopes that doesn’t change.
“We typically have always been a year or two behind like Evansville and the major cities,” he said. “Hopefully, we can dodge that trend.”
