Members of South Carolina law enforcement say the opioid crisis is impacting how they fight crime.
Powerful synthetic drugs like fentanyl are often mixed with heroin.
Police say wearing personal protective gear such as gloves and masks help protect them from accidental exposure but sometimes it’s not enough.
A Charleston deputy received treatment after reacting to a substance containing fentanyl during a routine traffic stop last month. Some agencies do not allow field testing but have officers safely package samples for chemists to process.
Drug Enforcement Administration says the opioid issue adds another layer of difficulty to a hard and dangerous job for officers.
