EnglishSpanish

Fentanyl In Hamilton County

thumbthumbthumbthumb

Do you know what Fentanyl is? If you don’t, you should. It kills instantly! Touch it and you overdose. Inhale it you overdose. It is one and done. It is 50 times more potent than heroin. It is a deadly synthetic opioid that is being pressed into fake pills or cut into heroin, cocaine, and other street drugs to drive addiction. 
There is an adult only meeting set for April 11 at 6 PM at the Northrup Theatre, and you should be there. According to the DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency), the Sinaloa Cartel and Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion are making fentanyl and pressing it into fake pills. Fake pills are made to look like OxyContin®, Xanax®, Adderall®, and other pharmaceuticals. These fake pills contain no legitimate medicine. Fentanyl is also made in a rainbow of colors, so it looks like candy.
Drug traffickers are using social media to advertise drugs and conduct sales. If you have a smartphone and a social media account, then a drug trafficker can find you. This also means they are finding your kids who have social media accounts.
Dr. Tyler Stephenson reiterated, “Fentanyl is deadly. It is laced into marijuana, vape pens, and fake prescription pills. [As in added in without the buyer’s knowledge].”
 Think these drugs aren’t around here? You are wrong. Sheriff Mike Wilson points out, “We have busted criminals with marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamines, LSD, and Fentanyl laced fake prescription pills.”
Hamilton County Hospital has seen a rise in accidental overdoses. According to Dr. Tyler Stephenson, there have been three in the past three months. All accidental. Sheriff Wilson reports drug cases in Hamilton County have more than doubled in the last year. Hamilton County had 46 Felony Drug Cases and 10 Misdemeanor Drug Cases in 2022 compared with 17 Felony Drug Cases, and 11 Misdemeanor Drug Cases in 2021. 
At February’s USD 494 Board of Education meeting, Narcan was approved to be  kept at the school nurse’s office and administered by the school nurse, Janet Thomeczek. Narcan is Naloxone - a medicine that rapidly reverses an opioid overdose.–But it’s not a guarantee to save your life. If you smoke, vape, ingest a high enough toxicity, Narcan is ineffective. And there is discussion that a new drug is coming in that Narcan is useless against. 
Sheriff Wilson said, “We have had several cases of Vape Pens with THC [Tetrahydrocannabinol - the major psychoactive component and one of the 113 cannabinoids recognized in cannabis] that was in a youth’s possession. One of the vape pens tested presumptive positive on a field test kit for methamphetamine/THC. Fentanyl is in every community and Hamilton County is not immune to the effects of Fentanyl-laced fake prescription pills. The DEA’s One Pill Can Kill Campaign states that 6 out of 10 Fentanyl-laced fake prescription pills have a lethal dose of Fentanyl. Parents need to talk to their children when it comes to vaping and the dangers that come with it. Children are often getting these vapes from people that are selling them not knowing what substance are getting put into the vapes.”
Dr. Stephenson agrees. There is an uptick in accidental overdoses. “They think they are taking something, but it is laced with something else - fentanyl or meth. All age groups are affected. It has been found laced in medication of people over the age of 50 who have used long term marijuana. Under the age of 25 we have seen several methamphetamine and opioid visits. Fentanyl is an opioid. A severe overdose is almost always fentanyl. We have seen three overdoses in the past three months.”
Dr. Stephenson explains, “Fentanyl is very powerful for the amount of substance. Police officers have been exposed when it is in the air through the skin. It is exponentially more powerful and short acting. While it is used in a hospital for anesthesia, it only lasts for an hour. My big takeaway we are seeing a lot of drug use in Hamilton County and the Midwest. People are taking drugs that they don’t know what is in them. They are being misled by whoever is supplying them and that is extremely dangerous! There are not a lot of side effects to Narcan. It will be available without a prescription. And if you give Narcan inappropriately it makes you feel lousy with the hallmarks of opioid withdrawal instantly, but it does not cause serious consequences.”
Last week District Court Judge Christopher Velez and Hamilton County Attorney Rob Gale spoke to the high school juniors and seniors in blunt terms about drug and sex crimes.
Hamilton County Library along with the Sheriff’s office, Hamilton County Hospital, EMS, and Rotary are sponsoring an adult education class on drugs. Kansas Highway Patrol Technical Trooper Carson Nuss has had 13 years with KHP’s Drug and Alcohol Evaluation Unit and he has been invited to come speak to us next Tuesday. 
Hamilton County Library Director Amy Brucker said, “I heard Technical Trooper Nuss speak at a Seatbelts Are For Everyone (SAFE) Conference in 2019. Two minutes into the presentation my jaw dropped and never came back up. The information and delivery by Trooper Nuss shocked me to my core. I didn’t realize how little I knew and walked away more educated on the reality of the situation. I really wanted others, especially parents, in the community to have an opportunity to hear him too. For four years, working between calendars and COVID, a presentation hasn’t worked out. This fall, a parent reached out to me about bringing in a speaker for the topic. I told her we needed to get Trooper Nuss here. Then a few weeks ago, at Rotary, there was concern for educating our community about drugs. It’s different from the dangers we have faced in the past, it’s scary. I left that lunch and emailed Trooper Nuss; the presentation was set in a few short exchanges. I feel it has finally worked out during a time where we as a community are willing and ready to listen.”
It takes a village. And as a parent myself, I pray the village shows up to this meeting to educate themselves.


NEWS

thumb

A is for Agriculture

Hamilton County is known for its agriculture. Farmers, ranchers, dairies, feedyards. We raise animals; 4-H and FFA programs help give youth a better understanding, but not all students have access to these rural resources.  The Kindergarten classes from Syracuse Elementary... [More]

thumb

Celebrating Veterans

“When I raised my right hand at the Air Force Academy, I was 17 years old, like many of the gentlemen in the front row.”   Every year Veteran’s Day celebrations at the McCoy Auditorium get better and better. This year, Syracuse School’s Veterans... [More]

thumb

LOCAL FFA ATTENDS NATIONAL CONVENTION

The 96th annual National FFA Convention was held last week and from as far as anyone can recall, this was Syracuse’s first time to attend.  FFA alumni from 1959 recall going on to the state convention at Kansas State University, but never the national one.  Larry... [More]

thumb

LOCAL BUSINESS AWARDS

Boarders Inn & Suites photo - Pictured from Top Left to Right - Francisco Orta, Albani Dowell, Areia Bustillos, Saraya Lewis, Shauna Valentine,  Mayra Orta, Maria Orta, Judy Nielsen 
Bottom  - Left to Right Brandon Herrera, Yadira Portillo, Ximena Portillo, Alexis Worsley  Not pictured - Rebekah Seal, Erica Salgado/photos by Michele Boy

 

Wheatland Electric photo - Shajia Donecker, social media specialist; Alli Conine, director of member services & corporate communications; Nicole Semenko, payroll specialist; Bruce W. Mueller, general manager; Rick Klaus, director of operations; and Kyle Strickert, manager of substations and metering, accept the 2023 Apprenticeship Champions and Partners Award from Lt. Governor David Toland (center) at the Kansas Business Awards on Oct. 12, 2023, in Wichita.

Dream First Bank photo - Pictured L to R - Roxanne Emmerich, Chair and Founder of The Institute for Extraordinary Banking™ï¸ and Dream First Bank President and CEO Chris Floyd at the Banky Awards Event

thumb

The Kansas Cold Weather Rule Takes Effect November 1

The Kansas Cold Weather Rule takes effect November 1 TOPEKA – The Cold Weather Rule, designed to help Kansans who are behind on their utility payments avoid disconnection during the winter months, will begin on Wednesday, November 1 and remain in effect through March... [More]

thumb

LARKIN FIRST WOMAN PRESIDENT OF SYRACUSE ROTARY CHAPTER

The Syracuse Rotary club was chartered in 1928 when the Rotary Club of Garden City sponsored Syracuse’s membership. Ninety-five years later, Megan Larkin has become the first woman President of Syracuse Rotary.  Larkin has been a loan processor at Valley State Bank... [More]

thumb

WHARTONS RECEIVE BEEF SUSTAINABILITY AWARD

The definition of sustainability is the ability to be maintained at a certain rate or level, “the sustainability of economic growth” and the avoidance of depletion of natural resources to maintain an ecological balance, “the pursuit of global environmental sustainability”. ... [More]

Stop Trafficking

We have all done it. You let your kid use your cellphone while you wait in line at the store, or doctor’s office. You know who else does it? Over 500,000 predators, perverts, and pimps.  Some of them are eighth graders luring your child and others. And if your child... [More]

More News


OPINIONS

Double-Minded

We didn’t make it to Cheyenne last weekend. Weather and family coming in caused us to rethink our decision. I admit I had my heart set on it and it stung a bit. But it was the right choice for us.  The hardest part was the back and forth of “do we go, do we not... [More]

Day of Action of Thanks

I am sure I just finished typing my last column a few minutes ago. Thanksgiving is in two days and I know November just started.  It’s that time of the year when days fly by, my checklist gets longer, and I am not prepared for anything! We are supposed to go to Cheyenne,... [More]

A Bitter Pill

I swallowed a hard pill last weekend when my daughter and I took a self defense class.    We raise our kids to be better than we were, or at least I hope that is the goal, it is mine.   In the class we were taught to listen to our gut, our instincts. ... [More]

Someone Needs Your Help

    I read a quote by Jack Welch that said, “When you were made a leader you weren’t given a crown, you were given the responsibility to bring out the best in others.” Have you ever had one of those days? You are walking along filled with gratitude... [More]

The World Has Never Been Safe

It’s November! Cool weather, leaves changing color, seasons changing.   How are you doing? I am making decisions about Thanksgiving printing for the paper. It looks like a long weekend beforehand and I will print on Monday morning of that week, publishing Tuesday. ... [More]

A Time to Laugh

My view today, Wednesday, is beautiful - cool, leaves changing color,  mums and pumpkins in my front yard.  I am not quite ready for single digit temperatures except perhaps it will kill the flies!   Just for fun we bought two skeletons that play instruments. They... [More]

Are You Thirsty?

How much water do you drink? Whatever is in my coffee cup.  When I was told I needed to drink more water, I mentioned I’m not thirsty…Ever.    Someone shared with me that people who are dehydrated don’t feel thirst.  As I started drinking... [More]

He Makes A Way Where There Is No Way

Someone  confided in me last week that their life lately had been a rollercoaster of emotions.  I mentioned that is where faith comes in.  This world is a master at filling you with fear.  If you ride the rollercoaster, it will take away everything from you.... [More]

More Opinions

SPORTS

thumb

STATE GOLF RESULTS

State golf on Monday had the Varsity Bulldogs miss playing in the finals as a team by one stroke. They finished seventh out of twelve teams.  On Day 1, Brody Keller shot a 92 missing day two by two strokes. Ian Brummett shot a 95, Mason Scott  and Johnny TeVelde shot... [More]

thumb

JH BASKETBALL WINS

Junior High Boys Basketball A, B, and C teams travelled to Elkhart on Monday, November 21. The A team won 41-34, B team won 26-21, and  C team lost to Elkhart 13-20. Head Coach Vance Keller said, “Elkhart was a tough win for both the A and B teams but both grinded... [More]

thumb

LADY BULLDOGS BORDER WARS CHAMPIONS!!

The Lady Bulldogs were undefeated during the Border Wars, defeating Eads on Friday, 42-7 and Walsh on Saturday 62-5, bringing their record to 3-1. But the winner wasn’t announced until Tuesday evening. Syracuse Athletic Director Josh Johnson explained, “It came down... [More]

thumb

JH Basketball Season Underway with JH Boys sweeping Lakin

Monday night at home at the Herndon Gym, the Junior High boys swept Lakin! Head coach Vance Keller said, “We’re a young team with only six eighth graders and 12 seventh graders. We’ve had six total that started the season with injuries so we haven’t had... [More]

thumb

Senior Night Volleyball

Three Syracuse High School volleyball seniors were honored on Tuesday, October 5, during the volleyball tournament at Syracuse.  Kaetlin Thomeczek, daughter of Joe and Dami Thomeczek has played volleyball since the third grade, playing with Syracuse Youth Activities Association... [More]

thumb

HS Track

Head coach Steve Navarro said, “The coaching staff has really enjoyed working with this group of kids this year. They have been putting in hard work despite some less than stellar conditions for practice and meets. We are excited to see what they can do now that we are... [More]

thumb

SHS SPORTS WRAP UP

Baseball: The Bulldogs faced the Goodland Cowboys at home on Thursday, April 8, losing game one, 2-22 and game two, 1-17. Head Coach Dustin Doze said the Bulldogs really struggled throwing strikes again and they had too many errors. We need to clean things up if we want to... [More]

thumb

Spring Sports Start

One year ago, athletes and coaches were beginning practice for their spring sport, some practicing during spring break, others enjoying the break from school. Soon they found out their break was extended a week, some with great joy, others with apprehension. Then came the unfortunate... [More]

More Sports

OBITUARIES

thumb

Everett “Butch” Buchanan

Everett “Butch” Buchanan             A mass of Christian burial for longtime Granada, Colorado resident, Everett Buchanan, affectionately known to his family and friends as Butch will be held at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, November 29, 2023... [More]

thumb

Larry Gene Holdren

Larry Gene Holdren was born November 16, 1971, in Syracuse, Kansas to Charles Richard and Beverly Jean (Potter) Holdren. He passed from this life on November 24, 2023, in Highlands Ranch, Colorado after suffering an aortic tear. He leaves behind many family and friends who... [More]

Martina Pena

            A Mass of Christian burial for longtime Granada resident, Martina Pena was held at 10:00 AM on Thursday, October 5, 2023 at the St. Francis de Sales/Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Lamar with Reverend Kenny Joe Parlingayan’s.s.s.... [More]

Richard Marquez

A mass of Christian burial for lifelong Granada resident, Richard Marquez will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, November 28, 2023 at the St. Frances of Rome Catholic Church in Holly, Colorado. A rosary service will be held prior to the mass at 10:30AM with Deacon Allan Medina... [More]

thumb

Dorothy Jean (Bules) Leslie Reed

Dorothy Jean (Bules) Leslie Reed, 95, passed away Wednesday, November 15, 2023 at the Hamilton County Hospital in Syracuse, Kansas. She was born November 25, 1927 in Gentry, Arkansas the daughter of Grover Bules & Devona (Huser) Bules. Dorothy began her life in Gentry, and... [More]

thumb

María Salgado

Mass of Christian Burial for Maria Salgado will be held at 10:00 a.m. and Recitation of the Rosary at 9:30 a.m., Saturday, November 18, 2023 at St. Frances of Rome Catholic Church in Holly, Colorado.  Interment will take place following the Massin the Holly Cemetery.  Visitation... [More]

thumb

Evelyn Youngers

Garfield - Evelyn T. Youngers, 93, passed away Saturday, November 4, 2023 at home.  She was born June 9, 1930 in Ost, Kansas, the daughter of Frank and Helen (Schauf) Marx.  She was a supportive farmer’s wife and a loving mother of twelve children. On May 18,... [More]

Chad Allen Myers

Chad Allen Myers, 51, Spring Hill, Kansas passed away Saturday, October 28, 2023. Visitation will be 3:30 p.m.- 6:30 p.m. Monday, November 6, 2023 with a Celebration Of Life at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, November 7, 2023 both at Spring HillUnited Methodist Church, 112 E. Nichols Street,... [More]

More Obituaries

View All Obituaries