Any white powdery substance encountered on the street should be considered dangerous. Law enforcement needs to proceed with caution while handling, transporting, and testing these substances. The opioid epidemic has increased the danger of substances sold as heroin, cocaine, or meth can be laced with fentanyl, an opioid that is 100X more powerful than heroin. More deaths are also being linked to carfentanil, a drug 10X times more powerful than fentanyl, and a combination drug, with heroin, fentanyl, U-444, and carfentanil, known as “Grey Death.” The dangers posed to law enforcement are significant as fentanyl can be absorbed through the skin or eyes, inhaled, or swallowed putting first responders at greater risk of an accidental overdose.
Drug overdoses are now the leading cause of death of Americans under 50 and most are tied to heroin and its cousin, fentanyl. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) recommends in its latest report, Fentanyl: A Briefing Guide for First Responders, that public safety officials wear extensive personal protective equipment as soon as they suspect fentanyl or fentanyl-related substances.
Sirchie is a committed #policepartner and they want you to be safe while handling, transporting, or testing white powdery potential illicit substances. Built based on the recommendations of the CDC and manufacturers of fentanyl, tehey developed a one-time use PPE kit to be used specifically around white powdery substances that could contain fentanyl, carfentanil, or other powerful opioid-based substances.
