By Pepper Fisher
PORT ANGELES – With state lawmakers expected to return to Olympia later this month to try to come to an agreement on a new drug possession policy, we sat down with local law enforcement to get some specifics on what they are seeing as our community’s biggest challenges in terms of illegal drug activity.
PAPD and OPNET Sgt. Josh Powless didn’t hesitate when asked about his agency’s biggest issue.
“Number one’s fentanyl. We’re buying fentanyl regularly in our controlled purchases. Fentanyl is basically, it’s a synthetic opioid. So, one of the things that we’re seeing in relation to that is, fentanyl is everywhere, but heroin is all but gone away. We haven’t encountered heroin in, I think, at least a year and a half. Methamphetamine is still everywhere, as well. Fentanyl is actually mixed into the majority of our meth supply as well, is what we’re finding. Which is interesting, because meth is a stimulant, and then you have an opioid. So, there are some people who believe, “If I use both, maybe they’ll balance each other out.” That’s not really how that works, but that’s kind of the mindset.”
Fentanyl, which is usually seen in pill or powder form, is now the cause of more overdose deaths than all other drugs combined. Clallam County Sheriff’s Chief Criminal Deputy Amy Bundy says a big part of the problem is that the drug is created in illicit labs, usually in Mexico, so dosages and quality control are all over the board.
“Yeah, it is all over the board. And sometimes, like, let’s say you had one little blue pill and you thought, “There may be a little bit of fennel in it.” But, what will happen is, in the mixing of it, let’s say, okay, I’m a drug user. I’m just going to take half. Well, it could be that the granules of fentanyl in that pill are all on the one-half side that you took. And you have accidental overdoses that way.” “And, depending on where that’s mixed up, I mean, that is sometimes literally done in a Magic Bullet Blender.”
Where is fentanyl coming from? Powless says most of the ingredients are coming from China. From the labs in Mexico, it’s entering the country through established trade routes, some of which go back to the cocaine and heroin days.
OPNET, the Olympic Peninsula Narcotics Enforcement Team, is tackling the problem on multiple fronts. Powless says many of their investigations are referred to federal investigators when they reach a certain point, and they’ll often assist the feds from there.
As for the community at large, what can the average citizen do to assist law enforcement in their battle against the drug problem? Bundy says the options are sometimes limited.
“There’s oftentimes little law enforcement can do. So, when we field those calls about, “Hey, I have a loved one who’s struggling with this. Can you put him in jail?” No, I can’t put them in jail for that. However, what we do in Clallam County Sheriff’s Office, and PAPD, and in Sequim PD, we all work with local resources. And so, oftentimes it’s about, like, knowing who you can put somebody in touch with. Like the Rediscovery Program, PBH, Reflections Counseling, S’Klallam Counseling. There’s all these different entities in our community that have substance use disorder professionals. Sometimes it takes several interactions before somebody’s like, “Okay, I’m ready for help. I’m ready for treatment.” And we do that all the time.”
If you or someone you care about is struggling with addiction, consult one of these agencies for advice and services.
Alcoholics Anonymous: (360) 452-4212
Al Anon: (360) 452-6973
American Behavioral Health Services Specialty Services II – 866-729-8038
Cedar Grove Recovery Services: (360) 452-2443 – 221 N Race St, Port Angeles
Klallam Counseling: (360) 452-4432 – 243613 W HWY 101, Port Angeles
Olympic Personal Growth: (360) 681-8463 – 390 E Cedar St, Sequim
Narcotics Anonymous: (360) 477-9367
Peninsula Behavioral Health: (360) 457-0431, 118 E 8th Street, Port Angeles