New Mexico State Police have identified fentanyl and methamphetamine as the culprits in a hazardous materials incident that killed three and sent about two dozen people to the hospital.
NMSP Chief Matt Broom, speaking at a press conference, said authorities discovered two types of fentanyl at a Mountainair residence, along with the meth. He said the drugs were in powder form. State laboratory analysis, Broom said, confirmed the presence of standard fentanyl and methamphetamine, along with parafluorofentanyl (also known as p4 fentanyl), a highly potent variation of the drug.
We reported Wednesday that police went to the residence in response to a report of a possible overdose and found four unresponsive people inside, three of whom soon died. Broom identified and confirmed a 51-year-old and a 49-year-old are among the deceased. The third victim’s identity is being withheld pending notification of next of kin, he said, and the fourth person at the residence remains hospitalized in Albuquerque. Broom said 25 people were exposed to the hazardous substances, most of whom were first responders or other town staff who attempted to treat the patients. Mountainair Mayor Peter Nieto said town officials initially feared a natural gas leak or similar incident.
The initial emergency response was triggered after an employer called for a welfare check when an individual failed to show up for work, then sent a co-worker to visit the residence.
Torrance County Fire Chief Gary Smith said most of the emergency responders who were hospitalized are now feeling better and at home. He said one of the initial EMS personnel at the scene is still in the hospital. He said the first few responders had skin contact with the people found in the home, as they chose to carry the victims out into fresh air.
Dr. Steve McLaughlin, chief medical officer at University of New Mexico Hospital, said that fentanyl poisoning can occur through skin contact, but he and others have said the exact manner of how the first responders were exposed hasn’t been determined.
McLaughlin called the incident the latest example of fentanyl’s continuing status as a “really serious public health emergency,” and encouraged the public to recognize the signs of a possible overdose and learn how to save lives. “If you see someone that you think may have been exposed to this, that’s demonstrating signs or symptoms of opioid toxicity, we want you to call 911,” McLaughlin said. “We want you to administer the antidote, which is naloxone, also known as Narcan. He noted that Narcan is widely available and usable by ordinary citizens.
Broom said the incident is still under investigation, and a determination on possible criminal charges is yet to be made. Specialized cleanup crews were scheduled to start remediation work at the residence Friday, and Smith said his department will examine the incident to see if any changes need to be made concerning training, equipment or response procedures.
“We’re only as good as our last call, right?” he said. “There’ll be multiple debriefings that we’re going to be doing over the next week or two to find out where our strengths were and where our weaknesses were.”