'It's dangerous': As fentanyl surges, community and first responders at risk of exposure

Fentanyl is making it's way across the border and is sweeping the nation.

In the last ten years, fentanyl overdoses have gone up eighteenfold in the United States. Cullman County District Attorney Champ Crocker said that statistic is reflected in the county.

"Picture a grain of salt, just a few grains of fentanyl to be lethal to a human being, so we are trying to educate the public and let the public know if they use illegal drugs, they are taking the chance and risking their lives," said Crocker.

Crocker noted fentanyl overdoses are underreported.

"Because of the way it's mixed and cut, it's sometimes difficult to pick up. Fentanyl doesn’t come with a barcode, but we know people are dying," he explained.

The risks aren't just for people using it. Over the weekend, a Cullman County Sheriff's Deputy had a reaction after exposure to an unknown substance believed to be fentanyl. The deputy is okay, however, it poses a threat to first responders answering calls and serving the community.

"We have had EMS and police who have been exposed to fentanyl," said Crocker. "I’m a volunteer firefighter myself and it's something all first responders have to take in account when they are on a scene."

Cullman County Sheriff Matt Gentry said the main thing deputies can do is be vigilant.

"Wear gloves. If you need to wear a mask, wear a mask. Do all the precautions to keep from being exposed," said Gentry. "Of course we take all the safety precautions that we can. We’ve been carrying Narcan in our vehicles for over two years now. Heroin hitting our community like it hits every community in North Alabama, we are preparing for the worst."

Prior to becoming the sheriff, Gentry spent 11 years working narcotics. He said he's seen drug trends over the years in Northern Alabama. The drugs most prevalent in the community have been methamphetamine, heroin and fentanyl.

"Now we are seeing fentanyl come in by the ounces and by the pounds," said Gentry.

Gentry said this drug can be an instant killer. In many instances, people are using other drugs which are laced.

"Sometimes they know it, sometimes they don’t, but it's so strong, it's causing numerous overdoses," said Gentry. "It's so dangerous today, not even from a law enforcement stand point, but just being a citizen."

Gentry said there are also concerns for people in the community being exposed. He said he warns people not to pick up a dollar bill off the street.

"If someone is using that to snort fentanyl, if a child picks that up and it gets on their skin, it'll kill them," explained Gentry. "We’ve had incidents where someone left a credit card or something in the bathroom and we’ve had employees at stores start to feel funny, get dizzy and most likely had exposure to an opiate, more than likely fentanyl."

Gentry said they are also holding community meetings across the county in an effort to educate people about the dangers of drug use and encourages people to have those conversations at home too.

"For parents, grandparents, educate your children to the reality of drugs. Educate them to there are drugs coming into our community, whether it's in Cullman, or Blount County, anywhere in North Alabama, South Alabama, you don't know what you're going to be using, you don't know what it's laced with. You could get marijuana that's laced with fentanyl, you could get meth laced with fentanyl. Educate your kids to the danger of drugs and how it affects them," said Gentry.

Gentry said deputies are working to get those drugs off the streets. The sheriff's office is averaging 100 drug arrests each month.

"If we can get them off the street and get them in jail or the places they need to be, they can't push those drugs in our community and that’s a top priority for us," said Gentry.

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There's a mandatory three-year minimum sentence in the penitentiary for anyone who traffics heroin, cocaine, meth, marijuana or any other drug.

This legislative session, a bill sponsored by State Representative Matt Simpson- District 96 (R) would establish mandatory minimum sentences for fentanyl trafficking in Alabama. The House Judiciary Committee has the bill first on the agenda and is expected to get its initial vote Wednesday.

"This legislation which is good legislation will add fentanyl to that list and the penalties will be progressive," said Crocker.

The bill is part of Alabama District Attorney's Association's crime package for the session. Both Crocker and Gentry stand behind that bill.

If the bill is passed, it would establish a three-year mandatory minimum sentence for one to two grams of fentanyl. For higher volumes of fentanyl, the minimum sentence increases and goes all the way up to life in prison for those having a large amount of fentanyl.

In addition to stronger legislation, Gentry encourages people struggling with addiction to get help. There are various resources and programs available in Cullman County.

"One of the things I recommend whether it's meth, heroine, cocaine, whatever, is a yearlong faith based program. You have to be out of your environment, you have to be sober at least a year before your brain starts to work normally again and the longer you can operate that way, the more chances of success you have," said Gentry.

Gentry said people can contact the sheriff's office and they can help them get signed up to get treatment.

Illegal drug activity can also be reported to the sheriff's office. People can remain anonymous. Gentry said tips can be sent in via email, social media, by calling or can be sent in by sending a text of '25 sheriff' to 888777.