(CMR) There is widespread concern in the community as people are worried that the hazardous drug Fentanyl will wreak havoc if it becomes easily accessible in the Cayman Islands.
“When the Fentanyl gets even a small hold on our population, the damage will be more than we can fathom,” a concerned Caymaniann told CMR.
Commissioner of Police Derek Bryne said 34 reports of suspected drug overdoses, primarily over-the-counter and prescription drugs, were made to the police last year.
Mr. Byrne, who was responding to questions from CMR, said there were two sudden death reports over 12 months where an overdose was suspected, and both occurred in Cayman Brac.
While Fentanyl was not the confirmed drug in these incidences, the Commissioner said the police had information that the drug was being sold on the island.
Mr. Byrne said the lab tests for Fentanyl when there is a recovery, and there have been five cases where Fentanyl was intercepted by CBC during importation in the last year.
Recently, three people, including a female, were arrested for the importation of 200 Fentanyl tablets.
When asked if the drug was being offered for sale online, the Commissioner said there was no information to suggest it was being offered online. However, he said there was evidence to suggest that persons are importing Fentanyl, but there were no cases reported nor arrests made for the sale of this drug.
Several members of the public have been concerned about the infiltration of this drug into the Cayman Islands.
One gentleman who lost a family member to an overdose said, “Unless the Pact Government does something right now, we are going to see good Caymanians, first responders included, die from Fentanyl.”
He said the punishment for the importation and selling of Fentanyl should be just as severe as the punishment for committing murder. He said a huge reward should also be given to persons who report perpetrators, as Cayman cannot allow this drug to take root in society.
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