Serious Health & Safety Situation
The Mille Lacs Tribal Police Department would like to alert the community of a serious health and public safety situation.
The Mille Lacs Tribal Police Department is sharing information to community members to assist in fighting the opiate problem by reducing accidental overdose from unknown substances.
Since the beginning of 2023, there has been an increase in accidental overdoses and overdose deaths statewide due to the distribution of synthetic fentanyl. Testing of substance samples by the Minnesota Department of Health Public Health Lab determined samples to contain: 4-ANPP, acetyl fentanyl, beta-hydroxy fentanyl, cocaine, Power Form Delta-9 THC, fentanyl, hydroxyzine, norfentanyl, oxycodone, para-fluorofentanyl. The combination of these substances has contributed to the increase of fatal overdoses.
The production and distribution of these manmade substances have varying potency and affect everyone differently. In the first week of February, Minnesota saw a total of 109 overdoses, of which six were fatal. Of the 109 instances, 43 were administered naloxone.
Mille Lacs Band Tribal Police would like to stress the importance of calling for help if you or an individual you know is experiencing a drug overdose. Minnesota Law 604A.05, the “Good Samaritan Overdose Medical Assistance Law,” states that a person seeking medical assistance or a person experiencing an overdose is immune from prosecution of a crime. The statute also states that a person on pretrial release, probation, furlough, supervised release, or parole shall not be revoked based on an incident for which the person would be immune from prosecution. It is IMPERATIVE that the person experiencing the overdose gets immediate medical attention.
You may read the full statute at the following link: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/?id=604A.05
The Mille Lacs Tribal Police Department reminds community members that any unused, expired, or unwanted prescription pharmaceuticals (pills, liquids, patches) can be dropped off in the red drop-off box in the TPD lobby with no questions asked. We want and need to get these substances removed from the streets of our community. These substances will be collected for destruction. There will be no names mentioned and no questions asked to the individual bringing the item to the police department.
Send your news tips to news@millelacsband.com.
