Baton Rouge coroner featured in fentanyl crisis web series

BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) - East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner Dr. Beau Clark is set to be featured in a web series addressing the fentanyl crisis that has impacted communities nationwide and locally.

“Certainly, when you see a trend, and you see a trend happening often, there comes a point where you have to sound the alarm,” Dr. Clark said.

Dr. Clark appears in “Fentanyl Stories,” a series produced by Victoria’s Voice, a foundation seeking policy change through projects aimed at preventing substance abuse. The next episode airs online starting Thursday, Jan. 29.

Local overdose numbers peaked during pandemic

According to the CDC, nationwide, nearly 50,000 people died from overdose deaths related to fentanyl in 2024. Locally, bringing numbers down has been an uphill battle since COVID, when numbers spiked.

“We saw numbers like five, 35, double-digit numbers, then grow to hundreds, then grow to two hundred, then grow to an all-time high of over 300,” Dr. Clark said while recalling the local fentanyl spike during COVID.

Dr. Clark has been speaking on the issue for years. He said that at its height and in many cases today, fentanyl can be found in just about any drug off the street.

“There’s no drug safe from fentanyl in this community. Even though you think you’re buying something that is safe, it is likely adulterated with fentanyl, and one simple use of that could lead to your death,” Dr. Clark said.

Recent decline in overdose deaths

Thanks to an increase in law enforcement monitoring of fentanyl, Dr. Clark said overdose deaths related to the potent drug have been down recently. Other contributing factors have made a major impact, too.

According to the latest EBR coroner’s annual report, in 2024, overdose deaths totaled 188, a sharp decrease from 289 deaths in 2023 and 295 deaths in 2022.

“You saw the wide distribution of Narcan, the reversal agent for opioid overdoses. And then lastly, what happened about a year ago is they shut down the southern border, that’s the flow of fentanyl into this country,” Dr. Clark said.

Dr. Clark hopes his discussions around the fentanyl crisis happening nationwide and in Baton Rouge resonate with viewers of all ages.

“Any platform to talk about it is important, so I was very happy to participate in their program and share the message,” Dr. Clark said.

The next episode featuring Dr. Clark releases tomorrow and is available on YouTube, Facebook, and the Victoria’s Voice Foundation website.

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