FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA: A startling incident involving a Florida deputy has brought attention to the potent opioid fentanyl.
Deputy Nick Huzior reported experiencing a fentanyl overdose after coming into contact with the drug, even though experts typically assert that fentanyl needs to be ingested or injected to cause impairment.
The incident occurred when Deputy Huzior pulled over George Clemons, 61, for fleeing a hit-and-run scene and decided to test a white powder discovered in Celmon's car at around 3.45 pm on Thursday, August 10, as per the Daily Mail.
Who is Nick Huzior?
Deputy Huzior of the Flagler County Sheriff's Office appeared to succumb almost immediately to the effects of the synthetic opioid fentanyl, known to be over 100 times more potent than morphine.
His claims have raised eyebrows due to the conventional understanding that fentanyl's effects can't be felt from physical contact alone.
The released bodycam video, provided by the Sheriff's Office on Friday, captures the moments after Clemons refused a sobriety test and prompted Huzior to test the white powder found in the former's possession.
Huzior can be heard saying, "I feel lightheaded," as he struggles. Deputy First Class Kyle Gaddie administered Narcan, a drug used to reverse fentanyl overdoses, in an attempt to counteract the effects.
Sheriff Rick Staly confirmed in a statement that Huzior had indeed been exposed to fentanyl and that he was in recovery.
Meanwhile, Clemons faces multiple charges, including DUI, possession of fentanyl, cocaine, marijuana, suboxone, and drug paraphernalia. The Bunnell Police Department also charged him with leaving the scene of a hit-and-run, a felony offense.
However, the 61-year-old managed to post bail of $25,500 on Friday, August 11, after spending approximately a day in custody.
What is Narcan used for?
Narcan, also known as naloxone, is a medication used to rapidly reverse the effects of opioid overdose. It is an opioid receptor antagonist, which means it binds to the same receptors in the brain as that of heroin, morphine, and fentanyl.
In the process, Narcan effectively blocks the effects of opioids, preventing life-threatening symptoms caused by an overdose, such as slowed breathing and loss of consciousness.
Narcan can be administered through various routes, including intranasal spray or injection, and it works relatively quickly to restore normal breathing and consciousness.
What are the side effects of Narcan?
Narcan is generally considered safe and has a narrow range of potential side effects.
Common side effects of the drug are flushing, dizziness, tiredness, weakness, nervousness, restlessness, irritability, body aches, diarrhea, stomach pain, nausea, fever, chills, goosebumps, sneezing, shortness of breath, or runny nose, according to RxList.
However, some serious side effects of Narcan administration are related to the sudden reversal of opioid effects, which can lead to withdrawal symptoms in the individual who might have overdosed on opioids, including hives, difficulty breathing, and swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Rarely-seen side effects include agitation, high or low blood pressure, cardiac arrhythmias, shortness of breath, pulmonary edema, abnormal brain function (encephalopathy), seizures, coma, and death.
What are the symptoms of fentanyl exposure?
Exposure to fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid, can result in a range of symptoms that vary depending on the level of exposure and the route of exposure (inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact). Notably, fentanyl can cause rapid and severe effects, even in small amounts.
Common symptoms of fentanyl overdose include pinpoint pupils, falling asleep or losing consciousness, slow and shallow breathing, choking or gurgling sounds, limp body, and pale, blue, or cold skin.
In case someone suspects a fentanyl overdose, they should immediately call 911 and administer Narcan (naloxone) if available.
