About The Eatonton messenger. (Eatonton, Ga.) 18??-current | View Entire Issue (June 26, 2025)
» Your hometown newspaper since 1861 The Eatonton Alessenger THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2025 | A3 OPIOID CONTINUED FROM » A1 whether opioids or not, to dispose of them properly by depositing them in a locked box at Eatonton Police headquarters (214 W. Marion St.), rather than just flushing or throwing them away. She also explained the state’s “Good Samaritan” law, specifically as it pertains to opioid abuse intervention. “This law protects indi viduals who try to help people that may be over dosing on opioids or other drugs. If you think that they in danger, you are safe to intervene or call 9-1-1,” Dean stated. She also stressed that individuals also can safely administer a medication called naloxone, more commonly known by its commercial brand name, Narcan, a nasal spray that works by blocking the effects of opiates on the brain and restoring breathing. “We offer Narcan training for whoever wants take that; we will get someone from the health department to teach you how to admin ister Narcan, in case you come across that,” Dean said, adding that free, single-use Narcan samples also were avail able to meeting attendees. “So, if you do feel that you are acting in good faith and someone is over dosing, or you just feel that they are, you’re protected CHARGES CONTINUED FROM » A1 where he complained of injuries but refused treat ment. A blood sample was taken for a toxicology test, and Barrett was arrested when the results came back and revealed alcohol greater than .08 grams combined with THC. On Dec. 20, Barrett was jailed on charges of felony homicide by vehicle in the first degree, DUI, open container in vehicle, speeding 76 mph in a 35-mph zone, reckless driving, failure to main tain lane, no insurance, and seatbelt violation. Dodi Hanson Rowell was indicted on two felony counts, including obstruc tion of an officer, simple battery, and interference with government prop erty, and one count terror istic threats. Rowell was arrested May 15 on the first three counts when she reportedly kicked and tried to bite an Eatonton Police Department officer, broke his body camera, and spat on a woman. She was arrested June 5 on the threats charge when she reportedly threatened to kill a man. Jermario Markels Smith was indicted on home invasion in the first degree and aggravated assault charges stemming from a May 17 arrest regarding an incident at a Twin Bridges Road home. Izarious Keonte Duncan was indicted on two counts aggravated assault from a Sept. 24, 2024 arrest in an incident where he was armed with a rifle. Kadeem Antoine Walton, was indicted on GATEWOOD PAUE.00D 0© @GatewoodSchool IAN TOCHER/Staff Eatonton Councilmember Janie Reid addressed the audience at the Beyond the Bell event. IAN TOCHER/Staff Acting U.S. Attorney Shanelle Booker and Middle Georgia DEA Special Agent Tyler Vandenburg, both from Macon, described efforts to rein in opioid abuse and illicit trafficking. by law,” she assured the audience. Booker, the acting U.S. district attorney based in Macon, later lamented the scourge of fentanyl, a particularly potent synthetic opioid, as a particularly damaging force but also clarified that both “good” and “bad” fentanyl exists. She explained fentanyl may be prescribed by qualified doctors for legitimate medical use; however, even that can be abused with potentially deadly consequences. Likewise, DEA Special Agent Vandenburg said illegal fentanyl is prolific in illicit pills found throughout Middle Georgia, including Putnam County. “The most common way that we see it is a brown pill that’s pressed and labeled M30. They’re trying to make a fake one count felony obstruc tion of an officer, two counts misdemeanor obstruction of an officer, and speeding, all from an Oct. 22 arrest. Angelina Marie Barr and Billy E. Combs were each indicted on theft by taking, arrested Sept. 12. Bradley Allan Cobb was indicted for false imprisonment, battery family violence, driving without a license, arrested Feb. 20. Edward Henry Deeb indicted on attempted removal of weapon from public official, arrested March 28. Oscar Dunn’s returned indictment was on possession of marijuana with intent to distribute charges from a May 21 arrest. Alphonso Farley indicted on aggravated stalking, criminal damage to property in the second degree, for which he was arrested May 9. Marcos Tulio Gomez-Sanchez indicted on charges from a Dec. 14 arrest that include two counts fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, one count driving under the influ ence, reckless driving, and driving without a license. Latrell Javon Hamp shire indicted on fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, charged on Aug. 30. Jenna Hill was indicted on two counts felony obstruction of an officer, one count misdemeanor obstruction of an officer, interference with govern ment property, stemming from a July 26 arrest. Robert Dodson Hough indictment on making false statement, false report of a crime, Gatewood has achieved sustained competitive excellence, having earned 56 state championships in 54 years. We offer 14 varsity sports, some middle and lower school teams. We set goals and we crush them. We develop team chemistry, teach the physics of speed, distance, time, mass, and pressure. We are matter in motion. A private K2-12th grade college-prep Christian School. Contact Libby Rainey for information: 706-485-8231 x1300 lrainey@gatewoodschool.com 139 Phillips Dr. Eatonton Georgia gatewoodschool.com r v SAIS AdvancEDT ACENROITID oxycodone,” he said. “It is being placed in marijuana and other types of drugs as well.” Vandenburg explained that certain dealers will lace marijuana, cocaine, or methamphetamine with powdered fentanyl to establish a user’s addiction to their supply. “They don’t put a whole bunch in it; just enough to where you’re becoming addicted to that particular methamphetamine or cocaine,” he said. “They’re trying to get you to come back to them so that you don’t go to anybody else, so that they can get your business — for as long as it lasts.” Both Luke and Card- well lamented the effect of opioids in Putnam County schools, citing even pre-teens involved in several cases. Luke said vape pens in particular have become a significant operating a vehicle without insurance, oper ation of unregistered vehicle charges from a Jan. 17 arrest. Rion Staton Jones indicted on possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug related objects charges from May 14. David Michael Knowles indicted on burglary in the second degree from a May 11 arrest. Christopher Sean Skinner was indicted on one count possession LEARN MORE! n out-of-town Internet provider is offering Cig speed Internet . service for a very low monthly price: $39.99.* Trouble is, the price rises after only three months of service! Then, it rises again after another 21 months. If it sounds too good... it definitely is. Don’t fall for gimmicky pricing. Tri-CoCo is your local provider—the only one. Our commitment is to earn your trust every day by providing quality, reliable services at clear, competitive prices. * Based on advertising published online 5/22/2025 TRI-COG Set Mla-Ti- Saw 310 West Clinton Street, Gray, GA 31032 opioid delivery method in addition to old-fashioned marijuana. “It’s not a week goes by that I don’t get a call and when I go to the school, there’s three kids sitting at the lunchroom table slumped over because they’ve been vaping at lunch,” Luke said. “Most of them get it from their parents, too.” Multiple audience members contributed anecdotal evidence of various drug abuses by fellow, local residents throughout the evening, with several also ques tioning why less than 30 people showed up to witness an opioid and addiction discus sion that demands and warrants the community’s attention. Councilmember Reid spoke to the issue. She said she suspected atten dance would be relatively of methamphetamine charge for which he was arrested May 8. Joshua Waylon Tidwell was indicted on possession of metham phetamine, possession of a Schedule I controlled substance, possession of drug related objects, possession of firearm by convicted felon, arrested April 8. Stacey Dante Wesley received an indictment on possession of cocaine and possession of less than 1-ounce of marijuana from an April 2 arrest. light for the initial Beyond the Bell meeting, but expressed confidence the next meeting sched uled for 6 p.m., July 15 at God of Peace Ministries (601A S. Jefferson Ave., Eatonton) will draw a larger crowd. “That’s exactly why we chose three different places to meet,” Janie Reid said. “Different people come to different things ... we know without a doubt a few people only show up MEAL JCOUNTRY Q92.3FM Home of Today's 1. IF IT SOUNDS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE... at certain places. We may not have the masses, but we will have more people [at God of Peace].” Ms. Reid also stressed that city and county poli ticians and leaders have been working in concert for several years with the city’s police department and the sheriffs office to address local drug abuse concerns and insisted headway has been made. Still, she acknowledged much more work remains to be done, but reminded everyone in attendance of the African proverb of “it takes a village” to raise a child, the phrase made popular by Hillary Clinton in her 1996 book of the same title. “You all may not believe that but really, these things that you’re saying are not alarming to us. But we don’t like it and we’re going to do what we can,” Janie Reid said. “And although we’re working on it — my whole life, I’ve been working on it — we still need to do more and with your help we’re going try and get something positive done here.”
