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HONOLULU (KITV) — Cocaine is involved in a cluster of overdoses on Oahu. But the powerful stimulant is not the only drug believed to be behind this rash of resuscitations.
Many who live on the streets are used to seeing fentanyl mixed with illicit drugs like crystal methamphetamine
“Methamphetamine is one of the largest substances used, but it’s all adulterated with fentanyl at this time,” said Dr. Christina Wang, the Medical Director for Hawaii Health and Harm Reduction Center.
Homeless resident Isa Lei Denyia-Marrotte said she has not only seen others use fentanyl-laced drugs, she has used fentanyl, known on the street as fetty, herself.
“I had it once, when I overdosed from it.”
The powerful synthetic opioid is roughly 100 times stronger than morphine, but can be fatal because it severely slows or stops breathing.
On average, fentanyl has led to 18 fatal overdoses each year for homeless Oahu residents over the past few years.
“I found out that my friends passed away from it, and then it really shocked me,” added Denyia-Marrotte.
But the lastest cluster of overdose cases didn’t involve homeless residents.
“It does appear that most of the folks related to the seven cases that we’re tracking were housed individuals. So it’s very likely these are folks might be more recreational users,” said Dr. Wang.
Last Thursday morning, there were five overdose cases in Waikiki alone, with people ranging in age from 22 to 32 years old.
“People thought they were using cocaine. And then, unfortunately, it might have been other substances like fentanyl leading to the overdose,” stated Dr. Wang.
Those patients were all able to be revived by Narcan.
But because cocaine isn’t typically used with fentanyl, the Department of Health issued a bad batch alert. In the hopes people will take precautions including only using the drug with others — who can watch and respond in an emergency, and to test their drugs for fentanyl.
“It’s important to get the messaging out that we’ve got fentanyl test strips if folks are planning to use substances that are illicit. Because there’s no way of knowing whether the supply has been adulterated with fentanyl,” added Dr. Wang.
The Hawaii Health & Harm Reduction Center is one of the locations where people can get free fentanyl test strips and Narcan kits.
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