Officers warned of dangers while handling dangerous drug

ROCK HILL, S.C. — A police officer in Ohio is doing much better after he touched fentanyl during a drug bust.

The lethal drug caused him to collapse, and he was hospitalized. And it’s a danger all officers face.

Reporter DaShawn Brown learned local departments are using this as a warning to their officers.

[READ MORE: First victim of 'gray death' drug confirmed by authorities in Georgia]

Police said the danger is now inevitable with heroin cases constantly on the rise, so is their response to a possible overdose.

That danger is compounded by a drug called fentanyl. The painkiller is often mixed with heroin, and can be deadly to touch.

The Ohio officer removed his gloves after handling the drug during a traffic stop last week, but police said when he brushed it off, that was when he collapsed.

The Rock Hill Police Department shared the story with all of its officers as a reminder of the drug's danger. Every patrol is equipped with a kit including booties, a mask, a gown and most importantly gloves.

The Drug Enforcement Administration said fentanyl can be 40 to 50 times stronger than heroin.

Rock Hill officers have not had any exposure cases this year, but York County deputies made one arrest involving fentanyl.

Cox Media Group