EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. — The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Colorado held a news conference with local law enforcement about an "alarming increase" in fentanyl deaths.
Officials speaking in Colorado Springs highlighted efforts being taken at the federal and state levels to hold those who distribute fentanyl accountable.
Cole Finegan, U.S. attorney for Colorado, mentioned the consistent increase of fentanyl deaths in recent years to bring attention to the growing danger of fentanyl:
- 2018: 108 deaths attributed to fentanyl
- 2020: 540 deaths
- 2021: More than 800 deaths according to estimates
"We can probably assume it will be even higher in 2022," Finegan said.
Finegan said a key factor in combating the crisis is successfully prosecuting drug dealers who sell fentanyl to users who end up dying.
> Watch the full new conference below:
So far this year there have been numerous high profile incidents involving fentanyl. Five people died in Commerce City in February and while toxicology results are still pending, the District Attorney's Office said it's believed they ingested another drug not knowing it was laced with fentanyl.
Several high school students also died recently and the parents of an Adams County toddler were charged in death, after fentanyl was found in her system.
RELATED: Brighton toddler who died of fentanyl poisoning had been left alone for nearly 14 hours, police say
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