A Florida police officer accidentally exposes herself to fentanyl on the job early Tuesday.
A Florida police officer accidentally exposes herself to fentanyl on the job early Tuesday.
A Florida Police officer Exposed to Fentanyl
A police officer in Florida was left choking and breathless after she collapsed as a result of a to fentanyl during a traffic stop. According to FOX 35, the incident occurred early morning on Tuesday during a traffic stop after a Tavares Police Department officer discovered narcotics and drug paraphernalia inside a passenger in the vehicle that was pulled over.
Furthermore, even police officer Courtney Bannick practiced safe handling of the drugs and followed proper protocols in protecting herself against exposure such as wearing gloves and using PPE but with high winds and a potent narcotic she became exposed and overdosed. Luckily, Bannick was then heard choking and breathless on the radio frequency police use. Also, a police officer on the same scene as Bannick saw that she was fading out of consciousness and needed medical attention. Bannick was brought to a nearby hospital where she’s treated and expected to make a full recovery.
Fentanyl is Very Dangerous
Medical professionals agreed that it is not possible to overdose by simply touching fentanyl. The research found cases of first responders who said they had overdosed from touching fentanyl but were reporting symptoms of panic attacks. In Bannick’s case, the department said they believe high winds caught some fentanyl powder, which she then inhaled, causing her to overdose.
A fellow officer from another department administered NARCAN to Bannick, a medication used to reverse the effects of opioids. Bannick became unresponsive several times while waiting for the ambulance, requiring multiple doses. The department said Bannick is eager to return to work when she fully recovers. The department also shared a video of the incident for educating the public.
The passenger was transported to Lake County Jai where they face felony charges.
