SKAGIT COUNTY, Wash. — The Skagit County Sheriff’s Office wants to warn the public about an alarming number of fentanyl-related overdoses.
They say there have been 20 calls since the start of 2025, including nine deaths—five of which happened in the past week.
The Skagit County Interlocal Drug Enforcement Unit (SCIDEU) says it is concerned that ‘killer’ batches of fentanyl are to blame.
They also believe that many common street drugs such as meth and cocaine are being laced with fentanyl.
“The slogan we have rallied behind is ‘just one pill can kill,” said Tobin Meyer, the commander of the drug enforcement unit. “But it now goes beyond pills. The drug cartels have started supplying increasingly powdered fentanyl directly into our communities,” Meyer continued. “Fentanyl is dominating the drug market in Skagit County, the state, and the nation and everyone has been impacted by this. This is not going to end anytime soon and we must continue good work as a community to raise awareness, educate our kids, and work with the most vulnerable members of our community to provide services to help mitigate the impacts this is having.”
Skagit Co. EMS Director Josh Pelonio has the following guidance for those who come upon a suspected fentanyl overdose:
1. Don’t run; The Good Samaritan Law protects you and the OD victim from drug possession charges.
2. Call 911 - Emergency dispatchers can provide additional life-saving instructions.
3. If available, give Naloxone spray in the nose, and follow the product instructions that come with the kit.
4. Start CPR - Roll the victim onto their back and provide chest compressions until EMS arrives or they wake up.