Police officer who overdosed during traffic stop opens up about her near-death experience

Late last year, a Florida police officer by the name of Courtney Bannick nearly lost her life after coming into contact with a deadly drug known as fentanyl. Fortunately, she recovered and spoke out, shedding light on a tragedy that impacts the lives of millions.

Tavares City in Florida has a population of around 20,000 people. A relatively small urban area of Orlando, the city sees a fairly average crime when compared to other US cities. Regardless, law enforcement is still a crucial part of ensuring the safety and well-being of citizens. As such, Courtney Bannick has devoted her life to serving her community. However, Courtney Bannick experienced something on the job that would change her life forever.

Courtney Bannick Nears Death

On a night like any other, she was questioning a suspect during a traffic stop. It was then that she came in contact with 3 doses of the deadly drug. Courtney Bannick admitted, in a later interview, to seeing “fentanyl overdoses or in many people’s possession almost weekly here.”

The opioid, an estimated 50 times stronger than heroin, was seemingly wrapped in a dollar bill. Despite wearing gloves, Courtney Bannick still came in contact with the drug through accidental ingestion. “When opening the dollar bill, I partially opened it because I could feel something inside of it,” she explained. “I noticed a white powdery substance. I’ve dealt with fentanyl many times before, so I believe that’s what it was. And I wrapped it back up, put it in there. We kind of sealed it away and went from there.“

Soon after, Courtney Bannick headed back to the car. Unfortunately, she began struggling to breathe, per a bodycam video recording, later shared by the police department. “As soon as I started talking, I was light-headed a little bit and started almost choking,” she said, “I couldn’t breathe. I wasn’t getting enough air and I remember kind of wheezing, gasping.”

“When I went to notify dispatch that we were actually going to head to the police department, I started to feel very lightheaded, and I couldn’t really talk,” she added.

Courtney Bannick is Not Alone

Sadly, Courtney Bannick isn’t the only law enforcement personnel, let alone American to have a deadly experience with the drug. Back in 2017, a total of 18 SWAT officers were hospitalized after a raid in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The officers came across an “airborne substance” believed to be fentanyl. Meanwhile, there are news stories almost daily of people overdosing, being hospitalized, or in many cases, dying. Moreover, just this morning, a Nashville, Tennessee news station shared a story of a young boy who’s been hospitalized due to coming into contact with Fentanyl. Currently, there are no updates regarding the boy’s condition, but his father has been taken into custody on the grounds of “aggravated child endangerment.”

Statistics of a Lethal Drug

The drug that nearly took the life of Courtney Bannick is a synthetic opioid that has sometimes been used as a pharmaceutical. The CDC notes that in most of the cases in which people are having fatal outcomes, fentanyl is known as illegally made fentanyl rather than pharmaceutical fentanyl. It has reportedly been used to “cut” other drugs “because of its extreme potency, which makes drugs cheaper, more powerful, more addictive, and more dangerous,” according to the CDC.

It is reported that more than 150 people a day have lost their lives due to the increasing availability of illegally made fentanyl. The powder substance closely resembles other drugs and, therefore, is often ingested, snorted, or smoked without being detected until it’s much too late. The synthetic opioid causes breathing to be significantly slowed, so someone with asthma, for example, will likely suffer dire consequences. Eventually, other effects include shutting down the respiratory system entirely. Moreover, sufferers have been known to experience brain damage leading to severe injury.

Fentanyl has taken the lives and livelihoods of thousands of people. As the homeless population increases alongside the availability of illegally made fentanyl, cities will likely see an increase in people overdosing on sidewalks, stoops, and at bus stops. Seemingly becoming an epidemic for Americans, Fentanyl can be avoided so long as citizens take every necessary precaution. Firstly, stay informed and know all the facts. Secondly, never accept anything from a stranger, particularly so if it’s edible or drinkable. Lastly, there are online resources that can help ensure you know exactly what to look out for.

Fortunately, Courtney Bannick made a full recovery and was able to share her story. Hopefully, shedding light on a lesser-known safety concern that is currently, and silently, sweeping our nation.

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