Since April, nearly 600 people in Pinal County have had a suspected opioid overdose.

Many of these overdoses have been caused by illegal counterfeit pills containing fentanyl, according to a release.

So far in 2020, the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office has taken 300,000 counterfeit fentanyl pills off the streets. That is up dramatically from just 700 pills in 2019, the release states.

All PCSO deputies carry Narcan. Now, in an effort to save even more lives, PCSO is also making Narcan available for the residents of Pinal County at no cost.

“We have seen too many people lose their lives due to drug overdose this year,” Sheriff Mark Lamb said in the release. “If you or a loved one uses opioids recreationally or for pain management, Narcan is now available to you, no questions asked.”

Thanks to PCSO’s partnership with the Arizona Counterdrug Task Force, the life-saving drug can now be picked up at the following three PCSO substations during normal business hours:

• 971 N. Jason Lopez Circle in Florence.
• 820 E. Cottonwood Lane Bldg D in Casa Grande, 520-866-7419.
• 40815 N. Ironwood Drive No. 101 in San Tan Valley, 520-866-5240 or 520-866-5280

The San Tan Valley and Casa Grande lobbies are closed to the public due to COVID-19 concerns. Call ahead to let the receptionist know you will be stopping by, the release states.

To view a video of Sheriff Lamb talking about the program go to youtu.be/eu3yp0_wwF8.