BUTTE — No one is witnessing the fentanyl problem in the Mining City more than those who are on the frontline — the police officers.

The drug is increasing crime in Butte-Silver Bow and also making police work a little more complex.

“It’s turned where we were drug counselors, and now we’re medics administering Narcan to people, we’re therapists, we’re taking on so many roles,” Butte Sheriff Ed Lester said.

"We're drug counselors, medics, therapists" - Butte's sheriff on how fentanyl has transformed police work. Butte sheriff says fentanyl crisis transforms police into 'drug counselors and medics'

With Butte having the highest per capita overdose rate in the state for Fentanyl, police say this highly addictive drug also brings increased crime.

"You see kids, or even grandsons and gr

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