3 Hospitalized In Suspected Fentanyl Overdose In Petaluma: Police

PETALUMA, CA — Three people were rushed to a hospital Monday night for apparent fentanyl overdose, Petaluma police said.

Emergency personnel were dispatched at 7:26 p.m. Monday to a home in the 500 block of Ely Boulevard South where it was reported that two people were unconscious and their lips were blue, Petaluma police Sgt. Ryan McGreevy said in a news release.

Several Petaluma police officers responded Code 3, meaning with their lights and sirens on, and found the first patient, a man, who was unconscious on the ground and his eyes appeared to be rolled back.

Officers were not able to detect a pulse and immediately began CPR, then gave him a dose of Narcan, an anti-opioid medication, McGreevy said.

Meanwhile, officers assessed the second patient, a man who was awake but appeared to have taken drugs.

"Shortly thereafter paramedics arrived on scene and assumed control of the medical aid for patient 1," McGreevy said. "Patient 1 was transported to the hospital."

After speaking with the second and third patients, police determined the three men accidentally overdosed on a controlled substance that was suspected —but not confirmed to be Fentanyl —while using it recreationally.

Paramedics evaluated the two men and ultimately took them to the hospital, as well.

"All three patients were expected to survive," McGreevy said.

Officers determined during the investigation that one of the men had a warrant for his arrest for an unrelated incident. After he was cleared medically at the hospital, he was taken to a Sonoma County jail.

Police noted that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — CDC — defines pharmaceutical fentanyl as: "a synthetic opioid pain reliever, approved for treating severe pain, typically advanced cancer pain.1 It is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. It is prescribed in the form of transdermal patches or lozenges and can be diverted for misuse and abuse in the United States.However, most recent cases of fentanyl-related harm, overdose, and death in the U.S. are linked to illegally made fentanyl.2 It is sold through illegal drug markets for its heroin-like effect. It is often mixed with heroin and/or cocaine as a combination product—with or without the user’s knowledge—to increase its euphoric effects."

"Fentanyl overdose cases are occurring throughout our country including here in Petaluma," McGreevy said. "As noted above, Fentanyl is a very powerful drug that can incapacitate a person quickly. If you suspect someone is experiencing a medical emergency, including an overdose call 9-1-1 immediately. If you know or suspect Fentanyl has been used, notify the 9-1-1 dispatcher. In California 'The Good Samaritan Law' was passed to encourage people to call 9-1-1 in the event of an overdose/medical emergency and generally shields the reporting party as well as the overdosed person from criminal prosecution for low-level drug offenses (1799.102 Health & Safety Code)."