Fatal Florence Fentanyl Overdoses: 22 In Last 15 Months

 

According to information compiled by Florence Police Chief Ron Tyler, from January 2022 through March 2023, there have been 22 documented deaths related to fentanyl within his police jurisdiction. In other words, an average of 1.47 deaths per month.

As stated, this number reflects deaths that can be positively attributed to the drug. Obviously, some deaths may have been misidentified, while with still others fentanyl merely played a smaller part.

We're left to wonder how many similarly died in the county or the entire Shoals area? Can the latest act of our legislature remedy this?

Anyone caught possessing at least four grams of the powerful opioid is subject to life in prison with the possibility of parole. Will this be a deterrent? Perhaps a small one.

Bottom line: Know a fentanyl dealer? Turn him/her in.

Are Fentanyl "Murders" That Difficult to Prove?

 

Last week, a 15 year-old girl in Mobile died of an overdose of Fentanyl. The older male friend who supplied the drug has been charged in her murder. We don't usually see that happening here in the Shoals.

According to the DEA, Fentanyl is now the drug of choice for many since it's not only extremely potent, it's totally synthetic and doesn't rely on a natural crop for production. Unfortunately, it's also much more dangerous.

Again, Alabama is failing its citizens in mental health treatment. Why?

Also this week, Attorney General Steve Marshall has announced he knows more than Veterans' Affairs physicians concerning dangerous pregnancies. How lucky can one state be?