Overdoses, death prompt joint investigation
Law enforcement cautions more of the tainted drug could still be in community
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MENOMINEE -- One person has died and at least four others have overdosed in Menominee and Marinette counties since Monday night in what authorities believe is a series of incidents involving tainted cocaine.
According to the Menominee Police Department, all of the overdoses are believed to be connected, prompting a joint investigation involving multiple law enforcement agencies from Michigan and Wisconsin.
"These incidents have had a profound impact on the families, friends and others involved," MPD said in a news release.
While individuals have been detained in reference to this investigation, Sheriff Kudwa of the Menominee County Sheriff's Office cautions that more of the tainted drug may have been distributed locally.
MPD said that because the investigation is ongoing, they are limited in what they can disclose at this time. However, they hope to bring awareness to the community about the immediate and ongoing threat and prevent further harm to the community.
"Officers and detectives are pursuing every available lead to ensure those responsible for distributing these dangerous drugs are held accountable," MPD said.
The agency encourages anyone struggling with substance use or anyone who knows someone at risk to seek help immediately.
"By working together through prevention, treatment, education and enforcement, we can help protect our community and prevent future tragedies," MPD concluded.
Anyone with information related to the recent incidents is asked to contact the Menominee County Sheriff's Office at 906-863-4441 or MPD at 906-8635568.
Tips can also be submitted anonymously via the Crime Stoppers of Marinette and Menominee County website or the P3 Tips app.
According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (WDHS), drug checking technologies should be used on all drugs not purchased from a licensed pharmacy.
Unexpected and dangerous substances may still be present in a drug supply, even if they come from a trusted source.
However, the accuracy of drug checking technologies is not guaranteed. The safest practice is to avoid using drugs altogether, the WDHS said.
To locate a nearby organization or vending machine offering free fentanyl test strips, visit the WDHS' map on their website, www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/aoda/drug-checking.htm
While police have not yet identified what the tainted cocaine is laced with, many community members have suggested keeping Narcan (naloxone) on hand to combat potentially fentanyl-laced cocaine overdoses.
Narcan can be life-saving if cocaine is tainted with opioids, like fentanyl or fentanyl-related substances, though it is important to note the medication has no effect on the cocaine itself. Cocaine is a stimulant, and Narcan is an opioid antagonist.
The recent increase in suspected tainted cocaine overdoses reflects a broader pattern in Michigan.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) reported that fentanyl-laced cocaine was linked to a deadly overdose surge in Kalamazoo County between April 12 and April 13, 2023, when ten people were hospitalized and seven died.
"A rapid onset of overdoses can occur with exposure to fentanyl, particularly in individuals who do not know whether fentanyl is present or do not have a history of using opioids such as fentanyl," Kalamazoo County Medical Director Dr. William Nettleton said in 2023.
According to the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), there is significant risk that illegal drugs have been intentionally contaminated with fentanyl.
Because of its potency and low cost, drug dealers have been mixing fentanyl with other drugs including heroin, methamphetamine and cocaine, which increases the likelihood of a fatal interaction.
Fentanyl is a Schedule II controlled substance that is similar to morphine but about 100 times more potent, according to the DEA. Two milligrams of fentanyl can be lethal depending on a person's body size, tolerance and past usage.
The National Harm Reduction Coalition (NHRC) outlined multiple signs of an opioid overdose:
-- Loss of consciousness
-- Unresponsive to outside stimulus
-- Awake, but unable to talk
-- Breathing is very slow and shallow, erratic or has stopped
-- For lighter skinned people, the skin tone turns bluish purple. For darker skinned people, it turns grayish or ashen.
-- Choking sounds or a snore-like gurgling noise (sometimes called the "death rattle")
-- Vomiting
-- Body is very limp
-- Face is very pale or clammy
-- Fingernails and lips turn blue or purplish black
-- Pulse (heartbeat) is slow, erratic or not there at all
"If someone is making unfamiliar sounds while 'sleeping' it is worth trying to wake them,” NHRC added. “Many loved ones of users think a person was snoring, when in fact the person was overdosing. These situations are a missed opportunity to intervene and save a life."
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Sophie Vogelmann can be reached at 906-786-2021 or svogelmann@dailypress.net.