Fentanyl Overdose Response

Due to the increase in fatal and non-fatal overdoses in the city of Bakersfield, the Bakersfield Police Department, Kern County Sheriff’s Office, Drug Enforcement Administration, and Homeland Security Investigations have formed a Synthetic Opioid Overdose Response Team to respond to and investigate overdose cases. To further help in the investigations of Fentanyl overdoses, the Synthetic Opioid Overdose Response Team is asking for patrol officers to assist them in identifying cases in which their immediate response would be beneficial.

The Synthetic Opioid Overdose Response Team is asking officers that respond to an overdose (fatal/non-fatal) and believe it to be an opioid/fentanyl overdose, to please follow these steps:

Advise your Sergeant

Immediately call: 1-800-973-2867 (SECTOR)

Identify yourself as a Bakersfield Police Officer and ask to speak with a member of the Synthetic Opioid Overdose Response Team in Bakersfield to respond to the scene immediately. Please note, the Synthetic Opioid Overdose Response Team will want to know if a victim’s cellular phone is present and if a surviving overdose victim is willing to cooperate with the Synthetic Opioid Overdose Response Team.

Some items to consider if the overdose could be an opioid/fentanyl overdose, are:

  1. Naloxone (NARCAN) that was used by Emergency Medical Services or responding officers. NARCAN in the possession of overdose victims.
  2. Statements made at the scene by witnesses/family members of the victim’s indicating the victim has an opioid/fentanyl addiction.
  3. A member from the Kern County Coroner’s Office, indicated the overdose is opioid/fentanyl related.
  4. Evidence of pills, primarily blue/white colored round pills labeled “M” on one side and “30” on the other and/or white powder at the scene.
  5. Victim is unresponsive; has shallow breathing (> 10 breaths a minute), or not breathing at all; pinpoint pupils; altered mental status; snoring or “gurgling” respirations; blue or ashen color, especially in the lips and/or fingertips; and possibly a foamy discharge around the nose/mouth.