PORTSMOUTH — Three of the town’s first responders were treated at a hospital on Sunday, March 11, for possible exposure to fentanyl after a reported drug overdose at a local residence.

According to Detective Lt. Michael Arnold, police went to a home on East Main Road shortly after 1 p.m. and found a man in distress. They rendered medical aid until members of the Portsmouth Fire Department could respond, and the man was taken to a hospital for medical treatment. 

“During that time the officer on scene was alerted to a plastic bag in a trash can that may have contained narcotics,” Lt. Arnold said in a prepared statement. “The officer, using precautions, observed a small bag of a white powdery substance in the trash can.”

The officer seized the substance, believed to be fentanyl, and brought it back to the police station, he said.

“Upon arrival at the department, approximately one-half hour later, the officer started to experience shortness of breath, sweating and disorientation,” Lt. Arnold said. 

Two firefighters who arrived from next door to tend to the officer were also exposed and began experiencing similar medial issues, he said.

“Somehow, the material became airborne inside the station,” Police Chief Thomas Lee said.

The officer and the two firefighters were taken to a nearby hospital to be treated for the exposure. 

“The department was temporarily quarantined until the building was cleaned and the exposure had subsided. The officer has returned to full duty as of this morning,” Lt. Arnold said Monday, adding that the two firefighters were also OK.

Dangers of fentanyl

Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, is a prescription drug that has the same effects of morphine but at a much higher potency. It is often added to heroin and other illegal controlled substances. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), law enforcement personnel have a high risk of coming in contact with the drug unknowingly due its many forms. Exposure can be “quick and lethal,” according to the CDC.

“Potential exposure routes of greatest concern include inhalation, mucous membrane contact, ingestion, and percutaneous exposure (e.g., needlestick),” the CDC website states. “Any of these exposure routes can potentially result in a variety of symptoms that can include the rapid onset of life-threatening respiratory depression … Skin contact is also a potential exposure route.”

“Our first responders risked their lives dealing with this stuff,” said Chief Lee. “We had three people in the hospital last night from Portsmouth, due to trying to help someone overdosing. These are deadly substances.” 

Chief Lee made his remarks during a media tour of the new police station building which sits behind the current building and is due to officially open on Wednesday. The powdery substance, which he said the office double bagged, is sitting in a locker at the old station.

“We’re still trying to figure out how to get that bag out of the police station,” said Chief Lee. 

Lt. Arnold said he’s reached out to the National Guard’s 13th Civil Support Team, which will provide police with information on how to safely dispose of the substance. 

No one was prosecuted in connection with the incident.

“We don’t prosecute people who overdose and call for help … or when someone else calls on your behalf,” said Chief Lee. “We just want to get rid of this substance.”