On the left, a lethal dose of heroin; on the right, a lethal dose of fentanyl. P-J file photo

The problem with fentanyl when it comes to drug overdoses has become worse, and it could be leading to police officers running out of Narcan.

During the May meeting of the Human Rights Commission, the group discussed the drug overdose problem in the city, which includes more fatalities so far this year, 14, than all of last year, 12.

Capt. Scott Forster, Jamestown Police Department liaison for the Human Rights Commission, said one of the challenges is that drug users are now seeking out fentanyl. He said, in the past, fentanyl has been an issue because it would be laced in other drugs, with people not knowing they were taking the powerful synthetic opioid analgesic that is similar to morphine, but is 50 to 100 times more potent.

“A lot of people are seeking (fentanyl) out now,” he said. “They are seeking out the stronger opioids.”

Forster said the Jamestown Police Department is investigating far more overdoses already this year than all of last year. He said the drug naloxone, also known as Narcan, which is a medication used to block the effects of opioids, helps a lot when it comes to saving lives. However, he said because it’s available to drug users, JPD officials don’t have an accurate account of how many people in the city are overdosing.

“They are using (Narcan) and not calling for assistance,” he said.

Forster said the overdoses are such an issue for officers that at times those certified to use it and have it on them on patrol are running out before their shift ends.

“Sometimes (the officers) have to wait for the officer who receives it to get them more,” he said.

Justin Hubbard, commission member, asked what demographics JPD is seeing when it comes to people overdosing. Forster said the department hasn’t collected official demographic data, but it’s a wide range of ages and it’s not impacting any specific group more than another.

Hubbard asked how the officers are coping with having to deal with such a high number of overdoses.

“They’re frustrated by the whole situation,” Forster said. “The officers are wondering what can we do to make a difference.”

Hubbard asked what is the relationship between the police department and the Mental Health Association (MHA) in Chautauqua County. Forster said Timothy Jackson, Jamestown Police Department chief and city public safety director, is on the board of the MHA.

Members of the commission then discussed how at their next meeting they should invite officials from the MHA to receive Narcan training and to have a conversation about overdoses in the community. The group also discussed how the police department should host community meetings at churches and other venues to discuss the drug problem with city residents.

In other business:

¯ The commission discussed the Jamestown Pride Festival that will be held Saturday, June 12. Hubbard said the festival will start at 9:30 a.m. with a Pride flag raising ceremony at Tracy Plaza outside of the Jamestown Municipal Building, located at 200 E. Third St. He said throughout the day there will be festival events at the Jamestown Public Market along Third Street and at the Winter Garden Plaza along North Main Street. He added there will be information tables, yoga, speakers, live music and drag queen story time. The headliner of the festival is Pandora Boxx, who will perform at 8 p.m. Pandora Boxx was a featured performer on RuPaul’s Drag Race Star.

“This is the first time it’s happening here in Jamestown,” Hubbard said about a Pride Festival in the city.

Momina Di Blasio, commission member, said the Human Rights Commission will have a informational booth at the Pride Festival to raise awareness in the community about the group. She said people will be able to learn more about the commission as a whole and its exploration groups.