Heroin overdose deaths in Jackson County jumped early this year. Ten deaths by the end of April equals the total of the previous two years combined.
The spike raises the possibility that fentanyl, a strong synthetic opioid, has gotten into the local drug trade.
Jackson County Health and Human Services tracks the numbers and looks for reasons; Asante Health System runs substance abuse prevention and treatment programs; Humboldt Area Center for Harm Reduction works to reduce problems with substance abuse on the North Coast. We spend the hour catching up on issues in the region with Dr. Jim Shames from Jackson County, Hillary Handelsman from Asante, and Brandie Wilson from Humboldt.
