Bismarck police call it a “very dangerous situation.”
They’re talking about the increase in opiate abuse – especially heroin laced with fentanyl. Police have had reports of three suspected overdoses in the past few weeks. One person has died, another is in critical condition at a local hospital. The third was given the antidote drug Narcan in time, and the victim survived.
Bismarck police detective Jerry Stein says heroin used to be a very pricey drug. But he told reporters that price has come down.
"With it is coming fentanyl, which can be mixed with heroin, so distributors can sell it cheaper." Stein said.
Dr. Melissa Henke is the medical director of the Heartview Foundation, a drug treatment center in Bismarck. She says many of her patients have gotten hooked on prescription medications – that are more expensive than heroin.
"What I see with my patients is they get prescriptions after a surgery, after an injury, or some medical problem," Henke said. "Then they need more, and more, and more. And then they can't afford it. And heroin is still way cheaper than oxycodone."
Henke says Heartview has a two to three week waiting list for in-patient treatment. She does say that – effective July First, Narcan will be available over-the-counter without a prescription.
Law enforcement and drug treatment officials are reminding the public that there are protections in place for someone who reports a drug overdose to authorities.
The 2015 Legislature passed what was dubbed the “Good Samaritan Law.”
"Now if somebody witnesses an overdose, calls for help and stays to provide assistance to law enforcement and EMS, they can be granted immunity from charges," Henke said. "There's no reason for someone to die from a witnessed overdose."
