Simpson
Fentanyl is rearing its ugly head in Habersham County, causing at least three overdose deaths over the last two weeks and creating risk for users and law enforcement officers alike.
Sgt. Kris Hall of the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office’s HEAT Unit has seen more drivers under the influence of drugs lately than ever before.
“It’s increasing every year,” said Hall, whose unit has been repeatedly recognized as one of the state’s best at cracking down on impaired drivers. “Fentanyl is really taking over right now, as folks using heroin are out there looking for an even better high. A lot of times, they think they are getting another drug and it turns out to be something more dangerous, like fentanyl.”
Hall participated in two DUI arrests on July 20, both of which involved the discovery of pills that were pressed to look like oxycodone but were really fentanyl.
“A dealer somewhere is pressing his own pills,” Hall said.
Irvin Lamar Simpson, 53, of Gainesville was stopped with an expired registration, and Hall asked to search the car after detecting the odor of marijuana. Simpson shoved his hands down his pants quickly, and Hall believed he was going for a weapon. After wrestling him down and subduing him, Hall realized the suspect was going for drugs instead.
Hall allegedly found 15 fentanyl pills and a quantity of cocaine in the back of Simpson’s car.
Simpson was arrested on charges of trafficking fentanyl, operating a vehicle with canceled/suspended/revoked registration, obstruction of an officer, tampering with evidence (two counts) and possession of cocaine.
According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, “fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50-100 times stronger than morphine. … Fentanyl is added to heroin to increase its potency, or be disguised as highly potent heroin. Many users believe that they are purchasing heroin and actually don’t know that they are purchasing fentanyl, which often results in overdose deaths.”
Much of the fentanyl is produced in Mexico and funneled through drug corridors in the Atlanta area.
On Hall’s second DUI arrest that day, he allegedly found the same kind of pills and the driver nearly had an overdose during the traffic stop investigation.
“It’s just that potent,” Hall said.
Some of the street names of fentanyl, according to the DEA, include Apace, China Girl, China Town, China White, Dance Fever, Goodfellas, Great Bear, He-Man, Poison and Tango & Cash.
Sheriff Joey Terrell said it started with finding suspects with a brick of fentanyl before evolving into pill form.
“What they need to understand is that the higher high is really dangerous,” Terrell said. “It’s also dangerous for law enforcement officers, as they can absorb it through the skin if they handle it during an arrest. They could potentially be victims of an overdose, so it’s more prevalent and dangerous than ever.”