Fentanyl 'epidemic' hits county

COLFAX – Fentanyl disguised as common pharmaceuticals are flooding Whitman County and leading to a rise in crime.

The Whitman County Sheriff’s Office is reporting a drastic rise in the last year.

And Sheriff Brett Myers is concerned with the rise; he said a “tidal wave of fentanyl” is hitting the county.

According to the sheriff, the circulation of “Mexies” here began its climb after a bill reducing law enforcement capabilities passed the Legislature on Feb. 25, 2021.

The new law changed the conviction process and prohibited charges until a third arrest of an individual for drug possession, he...