From the cover
County’s new unit proactively fights narcotics cases
BY MIRANDA JAIMES & CODY THORN
The context
Why it matters
Learn more
What’s happening?
Overdose mortality rates The death toll from all drug overdoses in Tarrant County has seen a significant rise since 2019. Data for 2021 and 2022 is preliminary.
A closer look drug overdoses were reported in Tarrant County in 2023 as of Nov. 20, mainly from fentanyl. 2,500
people in Tarrant County have died from overdoses in 2023 as of Nov. 20. 300+
In March the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Narcan for over-the-counter use/sale. Narcan is a 4-milligram naloxone nasal spray that can be used to reverse drug overdoses. Police officers in Grapevine, Colleyville and Southlake carry Narcan, and have been trained to administer it, officials said. In addition, school resources officers at Carroll ISD and Grape- vine-Colleyville ISD also carry it. Colleyville Police Sgt. Dara Nelson said fentanyl can look like prescribed pills.
Illegal drugs are cheaper than they’ve ever been, Tarrant County Sheriff Bill Waybourn said. That causes the issue to be more widespread across the county. “Fentanyl knows no boundaries,” he said. “It’s in our gated communities, in our inner cities, it doesn’t matter. It’s finding its way everywhere.” Waybourn said his officers also carry Narcan or have it in their vehicles.
The new unit will create a more coordinated effort to combat the use of narcotics in the county, officials said. “[This unit] can help piece some things together that [police] are working on ... and get these criminals off our streets,” Sorrells said. The county also provides information about how to recognize and respond to an overdose in progress.
The new narcotics unit is staffed with three experienced prosecutors who will “diligently pursue drug cases and work closely with law enforcement agencies,” a news release stated. House Bill 6 passed in 2023 and allows prosecutors to file a murder charge for anyone involved in distributing fentanyl to a person who dies from exposure to the drug. Assistant District Attorney Michael Ferry, one of the members of the Narcotics Unit, said he’s seen firsthand the impact of dangerous drugs. “Especially [during the holidays], it’s very difficult for the families who have lost a loved one,” he said. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states pharmaceutical fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that may be prescribed for pain treatment. “We are going to get the people who sell this poison off the streets,” Sorrells said in a statement. “Fentanyl is addictive and deadly.”
2019
2018
2020 2021
2022
20
Identify
15
Common symptoms of drug overdose include: • Anxiety • Delirium • Seizures • Severe chest pain • Severe headaches • Vomiting
10
Tarrant County drug seizures
Respond
2019
“A lot of these [fentanyl] sales are taking place on social media, and the [kids] are using Cash App to pay for it.”
$11.51M
5
• Call 911 immediately. • Administer naloxone or Narcan.
2020
+50%
+38.46%
+80%
+112.5%
$6.95M
Resources
0
• Request free Naloxone: www.morenarcanplease.com • How to spot fake pills: www.dea.gov/onepill
2021
Collin
Dallas
Denton
Tarrant
MARC SHIMMICK, GRAPEVINE POLICE DEPARTMENT CAPT.
$25.96M
2022
SOURCES: COLLEYVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT, GRAPEVINE POLICE DEPARTMENT, SOUTHLAKE POLICE DEPARTMENT, TEXAS VITAL STATISTICS/COMMUNITY IMPACT
$8.54M
SOURCE: TARRANT COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE/COMMUNITY IMPACT
SOURCE: TARRANT COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH/COMMUNITY IMPACT
EULESS 900 E Harwood Rd (817) 545-2184
BEDFORD 1520 Airport Fwy (817) 508-4490
KELLER 101 Keller Smithfield Rd S (817) 482-8295
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