News Channel 3 is continuing to follow the details of the death of former local councilman Brian Nestande in March.
According to the autopsy report, Nestande’s blood contained a lethal mixture of “a specialized blend of fentanyl and metabolites of cocaine.”
Modafinil, commonly used to treat sleep apnea, and the high blood pressure drug losartan were found imported from Mexico at Nestande’s home.
As the investigation into Nestande’s death continues, medical experts at the Betty Ford Center say buying prescription drugs from anywhere other than a trusted pharmacy is dangerous and can have deadly consequences if the drugs are illegal.
“Illegal fentanyl is being manufactured in labs across our borders and domestically, and these various synthetic fentanyl pills are much more powerful. For example, the most powerful one is called ‘carfentanil,’ which is an elephant tranquilizer,” says Dr. Theresa Jackson, medical director of the Betty Ford Center.
according to Riverside County Overdoses Lead to ActionAccording to RODA, hundreds of people die from fentanyl overdoses every year in Riverside County.
Wendy Hetherington, branch chief of epidemiology for Riverside University Health System, said many of the fentanyl deaths in the county are related to overdoses from adulterated prescription pills.
“Through our work with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office, we have identified numerous counterfeit medications at the death scene,” Hetherington said.
The Betty Ford Center says the best way to prevent an overdose is to only fill prescriptions at a local, trusted pharmacy and to always carry Narcan with you.
To see Karen Devine’s in-depth I-Team report on the fentanyl crisis, click here.
