Panel discusses fentanyl use in North Idaho

COEUR d’ALENE — A panel of medical professionals addressed community concerns about the rise of fentanyl use in North Idaho on Thursday.  

About 50 people attended to listen to a discussion of “The Escalating Threat of Fentanyl in North Idaho” at North Idaho College, which was put on by the Coeur d’Alene Regional Chamber, NIC and Kootenai Health.  

While the law enforcement side of the battle against fentanyl was discussed during a similar panel in May, Thursday’s panel focused on the impact of fentanyl being seen in North Idaho’s schools and by local medical specialists.  

Debbie Critchfield, the superintendent of public instruction in Idaho, described how fentanyl is “the No. 1 issue” many schools in rural Idaho are facing — but many parents still argue that fentanyl isn’t prevalent in the area.  

“We have to have our parents, our community on board,” said Critchfield. Currently, Critchfield’s office is conducting a survey in communities across the state to better assess what is needed to combat fentanyl in Idaho schools.  

An agreement has also been reached with Idaho State Police to hold informational events in school districts and communities that request them.  

“We can’t expect student behavior to change unless we change the behavior of the adults,” said Critchfield. So far, three Idaho school districts have requested such events.  

The medical professional panelists described observing a similar “crisis level” situation in their practices.  

Dr. Ben Milam, an addiction medicine doctor with Kootenai Health, described how “100% of patients” that he sees are struggling with fentanyl.  

“Fentanyl is basically the only thing available on the street,” said Milam. “Drugs are not what they used to be. They’re much more dangerous.”  

Milam also pointed out that there is no specific demographic with higher rates of fentanyl addiction.  

“Fentanyl is indiscriminate of age, sex, gender, social class ... it's everywhere,” Milam said. 

The panelists also highlighted the importance of Narcan, an over-the-counter drug that can reverse an overdose by blocking opioid receptors in the body. Dr. Kate Aguirre, a family medicine provider at Marimn Health, emphasized that administering Narcan to an unconscious person could save their life.  

“If they’re not using, it’s not going to hurt them. If they are using, it could save their life,” Aguirre said.  

Multiple Narcan vending machines can be found throughout Kootenai County — there is also one located in Shoshone County. 

Dave Atkins, the chief behavioral health officer for Heritage Health, said “people, place, and purpose” are key protective factors for those fighting addiction.  

“We’re social creatures — we need connection,” Atkins said.  

Some community members also shared their stories of losing loved ones to fentanyl use.  

“It’s real, and no one is exempt from it,” one woman said.