Fentanyl has been a problem in the county of San Diego in the past years, but federal agents confirmed that the pandemic worsened the drug addiction as Fentanyl overdose deaths ballooned to 200%.

20 Times More Potent Than Heroin

By the end of the year, a joint warning had been issued by the San Diego County law enforcement and prosecutors regarding the dangerous potential of the drug. They estimated that 700 fentanyl overdose deaths were projected in San Diego County in 2021.

According to KPBS, the San Diego County District Attorney's Office stated that the multi-agency Narcotics Team Task Force 10 is responding to an average of five to six calls weekly on overdose deaths investigation. They mentioned that most of the cases were fentanyl overdose.

The task force was in charge of investigating overdose deaths in the county. Law enforcement officials stated that fentanyl overdose deaths are currently spiking around the county.

Moreover, officials said that overdose deaths are spiking across the county on a yearly basis. From only 151 overdose deaths in 2019, it jumped to 461 deaths in 2020. And in 2021, they projected that it will not be less than 700 deaths.

In addition, District Attorney Summer Stephan shared that parents in the county are finding their children from fentanyl overdoses and boyfriends discovering their girlfriends dead. She also added that children are currently being placed at risk due to the alarming spike in overdose deaths. Stephan also said that it has been alarming throughout the years, but currently, the increase has been huge compared to the past.

The District Attorney's Office responded to the issue by launching an outreach campaign that details the dangers of using fentanyl. They also stepped up in procuring dealers whose sales resulted in the deaths of San Diego residents. Currently, three defendants were charged with murder in relation to fatal overdoses, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported.

Furthermore, District Attorney Summer Stephan mentioned that fentanyl-laced drugs continue to be sold on the streets. She also stated that it is not safe, especially if they are not taken from a pharmacy.

The San Diego County law enforcement responded to the fentanyl overdose issue by equipping its sheriff's deputies with Naloxone. It is a nasal spray that counters the effects of opioid overdoses. The county also offers drop boxes where expired, unused or unwanted medications can be disposed of to keep San Diego residents safe.

ALSO READ: San Diego Gold Medalist Swimmer Pushes For Another Olympic Shot, Refuses to Surrender Against Chronic Disease

On the other hand, Kate Judd, the Program Director for Shoreline Recovery Center, shared that around half of the clients that they were serving were diagnosed with opioid use disorder. She emphasized that it is a significant margin of the population, NBC San Diego reported.

Judd also shared that it's an addiction that she knows firsthand. She said that before turning 15, she struggled with fentanyl addiction. She revealed that what makes it more addicting is the fact that people can easily hide it.

Also, DEA Special Agent Michael Wasser shared that fentanyl is a synthetic chemical compound that's much cheaper and easier to make than heroin; however, it is 20 times potent. By only taking one-fifth of the amount of powder in a packet of artificial sweetener, Wasser said that it can kill someone.

RELATED ARTICLE: Tennessee Mom Overdosed in Fentanyl, Toddler Left in Car Seat Found Dead Due to Starvation 

WATCH: Officials warn of spike in San Diego County fentanyl-related overdose deaths - from CBS 8 San Diego