FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE)— Federal and local law enforcement said their collective efforts and collaboration were making a difference in the fight against opioids.
As the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) carries out their Fentanyl Free America Campaign, overdose deaths nationwide have decreased by 40% over the last four years. The purity of fentanyl being taken off the streets has also generally decreased from an average purity of about 20% to 10%, according to the Assistant Special Agent in Charge at the DEA’s Merrillville District, Chip Cooke. The Merrillville District includes all of northeast Indiana.
“There are a lot of eyes and ears on the law enforcement side out there, who are sharing information with each other,” Cooke said, highlighting the DEA’s collaboration with Local law enforcement. “This is not a good place to be a drug dealer.”
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Fort Wayne Police Vice and Narcotics Sgt. Mark Gerardot said that advances in technology, changes in how his department polices, and the availability of Narcan are all reasons why overdose deaths have been declining…