Many state lawmakers are convinced that any interaction with fentanyl can be deadly.
In a gripping scene from the TV show “Blue Bloods”, Detective Maria Baez unknowingly touches a plate contaminated with fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid. Within moments, she is rushed to the hospital, fighting for her life. Shocking real-life videos depict first responders appearing to be affected by the drug. In one instance, an officer is cautioned to stay away from the substance. Suddenly, he stumbles back and collapses. His colleagues quickly administer naloxone, a medication that counteracts opioid overdose, and he slowly awakens.
The fear surrounding fentanyl is so pervasive that Florida’s governor, Ron DeSantis, recently signed a bill criminalizing the reckless endangerment of first responders through “inhalation” or “skin absorption” of fentanyl, resulting in “an overdose or serious bodily harm”. Despite the lack of documented cases, medical experts assert that such scenarios are highly improbable. Ryan Marino, a toxicologist at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Centre, criticizes the law for imposing a felony assault charge based on something scientifically implausible and unprecedented.
The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) issued a warning to first responders in 2017 about the hazards of fentanyl. “The opioid crisis has wreaked havoc and devastation nationwide…Any exposure to fentanyl can be fatal for law enforcement, first responders, and the public.” Undeniably, fentanyl is a menacing substance, accounting for 70% of annual drug overdose fatalities. Policing, too, is a challenging profession, inherently placing officers at a higher risk compared to the general population.
2024-04-18 07:57:53
Source from www.economist.com