During 2021 the
Chatham-Savannah Counter Narcotics Team (CNT) seized nearly 20 kilograms of fentanyl, a drug so lethal that a fatal dose ranges from a mere 2 to 5 milligrams. Fentanyl is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine and is often mixed with heroin, as well as with pain-killing pills and has become a popular ingredient with illicit pill makers. As overdoses involving the synthetic and inexpensive opioid become more frequent across the county, CNT is rolling out a series of educational awareness programs to the public. The first event will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 24, at Islands High School and it is open to the public.
“This will be the first of several that we're going to run across the county. We're going to start on the east side and we're going to move west. We're going to get that word out and try and educate and get everybody aware of what this problem is,” CNT Director Michael Sarhatt said during a recent press conference announcing the program.
The program will educate on the difference between fentanyl and other drugs, addiction and the dangers of opioids. A panel of local law enforcement officials will also be available to answer questions.
Sarhatt stressed the importance of parents becoming educated on dangers of fentanyl. “I think there's a lot of people out there, a lot of parents out there who don't understand it… So it's upon us, it's our responsibility to educate and have them become aware of the situation,” he said.
IF YOU GOWhat: Educational awareness program on the dangers of fentanyl
When: Thursday, March 24 at 6 p.m.
Where: Islands High School Auditorium, 170 Whitemarsh Island Rd.
