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Fentanyl focus: DEA rolls out anti-overdose program in Kan. city

The agency’s “Operation Engage” program, which was kickstarted last year, looks to educate the community on overdose symptoms and how to respond

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Image/Drug Enforcement Agency

By Leila Merrill

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — The Drug Enforcement Agency continues to roll out its “Operation Engage” program to decrease overdose deaths, with Kansas City, Kansas, the latest location selected for the community-focused effort, which the DEA started last year.

The agency hosted its first Kansas City community panel discussion Tuesday night, KCTV reported.

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“Fentanyl is killing more Americans than any other illicit drug,” said Rogeana Patterson-King, DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge for the State of Kansas.

Several presenters at the event said that it is not uncommon for different pills in the same batch to contain different quantities of fentanyl.

An EMT with the Kansas City (Kan.) Fire Department said it’s not just teenagers they treat for overdoses.

“If you don’t think an 8-year-old can get a hold of a Perc 30, it’s happening in our city,” said EMT Josh Megaha.

https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2022-02/1.%20Op%20Engage%20Fact%20Sheet%20%281%29.pdf

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