The biggest fentanyl surge in a decade has Austin on high alert

AUSTIN, Texas – Capt. Christa Stedman of Austin-Travis County EMS says their overdose heat map from last week shows a concerning drug scenario that resulted in at least 79 individual incidents and nine deaths in the Austin metropolitan area.

“What makes this surge different than others is that most of these people have not tried taking opioids,” Stedman said. “They attempted to use several different substances – crack cocaine, methamphetamine, K2.”

If there is a glimmer of hope, the 17-year field expert says, it’s the city’s rapid response teams and the distribution of hundreds of units of naloxone to counter the deadly street narcotic.

“Some of those additional adjustments included putting additional commanders on the road and making calls,” Stedman said. “Our community health team distributes Narcan and gives it to virtually everyone they pass.”

Although the surge is reportedly over, those responsible for the surge are still largely unknown. Patrick Eastlick, a lieutenant with the Austin Police Department’s Organized Crime Unit, says there have been five arrests related to the sale of this illegal drug. However, the suspects are not directly linked to this deadly group and whether a major local supplier or even Mexican cartels are involved is still the subject of an ongoing investigation.

“Step by step, we’re going after the dealers at street level or higher and just continuing to follow the leads to get to the main source,” Eastlick said.

Travis County has about twice as many opioid overdose deaths as any other county in Texas, according to a recent report from ATCEMS. It is a sobering reminder of the dangers associated with introducing unknown substances into the body.

“You don’t know where it comes from,” Stedman said. “Even if you got it from your friend despite his best interest, you’re just taking a risk unless you got it from a reputable place.”