Palau’s concerns: – Island Times

Fentanyl threat highlights need for prevention

By: Justoria Marie Borja

The Bureau of Public Safety’s Narcotics Enforcement Bureau said Palau may already be facing the dangerous reality of fentanyl infiltration. Although no synthetic opioid has been confirmed, authorities believe the drug may be present in the country, echoing concerns in neighboring territories such as Guam, where fentanyl has entered through the U.S. supply chain.

The Narcotics Enforcement Agency expressed concern about the potential threat, highlighting the challenges posed by fentanyl’s potency and sophisticated smuggling techniques that can allow the drug to enter the country undetected. Fentanyl is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine and can be deadly even in trace amounts. While fentanyl is a legal painkiller, illegal versions are often mixed with other drugs such as cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine, making it particularly dangerous.

One of the most critical issues facing Palau is the lack of adequate resources to combat this threat. Naloxone, commonly known as Narcan, is a life-saving drug that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. However, according to the acting chief pharmacist at the Palau National Hospital, Narcan is currently not available in pharmacies.

The island has a very limited supply of naloxone, which is available primarily through behavioral health departments. Beyond this small supply, there are few other medications on the island to respond to overdoses, highlighting a huge gap in the country’s preparedness to respond to the opioid crisis.

Under the leadership of Everlyn Temengil, the Behavioral Health Department took proactive steps to secure a grant to train law enforcement, medical personnel, and first responders to recognize opioid overdose symptoms and administer naloxone. This initiative is a critical step in addressing the potential crisis, but Bello National Hospital’s limited supply of antidote and lack of proper testing equipment highlighted the need for more resources and support.

Detecting fentanyl remains a significant challenge. Lily Ulitech, laboratory manager at the Belau National Hospital, stressed that the hospital currently lacks the necessary equipment to detect the presence of fentanyl in patients or confiscated substances. They are exploring options to obtain these equipment from off-island, but until then, identifying and responding to fentanyl-related incidents will be difficult.

The potential presence of fentanyl in Palau is a matter of urgent and immediate concern. The behavioral health department’s efforts to provide training and resources are critical, but the country must strengthen its overall preparedness to protect its citizens from the dangers of fentanyl. Increasing the availability of naloxone, strengthening drug testing capabilities, and supporting law enforcement to interdict illegal drugs at the border are important steps to protect public health.

As Palau prepares to combat this new threat, the urgency to strengthen resources, training, and prevention strategies has never been greater. Palauan society must remain vigilant and proactively address the risks posed by fentanyl to ensure the safety and well-being of its citizens.

The Public Security Bureau’s Narcotics Bureau stressed the need for more resources, tools, and a dedicated unit focused on intercepting drugs at the border before they come in. They also expressed concerns about the current leadership’s approach to drug enforcement, noting that drug enforcement has been given less priority compared to the previous administration under Director General Ismail, who was known for his serious approach to these issues.

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