JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Clay County Sheriff Darryl Daniels impassioned press conference Tuesday about arrests in the drug-related death of 18-year-old Ariell Brudige came from a very personal place.
Daniels, who was elected sheriff in November, called the increase of drug related deaths in the county "a poison" and getting it out of his county is a main focus in his first full year in office.
“For a person to think it is okay to bring something like that - any drug like that - it’s hellish to me,” Daniels said Friday on The Morning Show. “They need to get that hell out of Clay County.”
Daniels was referring to a dramatic increase that his office has seen in deaths from fentanyl-laced heroin.
“It’s unfortunate that a person would have some dependency issues in the first place,” Daniels said. “But the dealer themselves are lacing it with fentanyl for whatever reason and the buyer is not aware that this fentanyl is interlaced with this produce.”
Daniels noted that it takes only .03 nanograms per milliliter to become a lethal dose.
Daniels has a Sheriffs' Walk planned for Friday evening in Clay Hill. In past interactions with Clay County residents, Daniels said that the two biggest issues they talk about are drugs and crimes against property, like vehicle break-ins and theft from garages. Daniels said that the two issues are intertwined.
“These things have tie-ins to drugs,” Daniels said. “Let’s get to the root of the matter. I believe in getting the most bang for the buck for taxpayer dollars.”