ONE PILL CAN KILL! FENTANYL: WHAT ARE COUNTERFEIT PILLS?
FENTANYL: WHAT ARE COUNTERFEIT PILLS?
Counterfeit pills are fake medications that have different ingredients than the actual medication. They may contain no active ingredient, the wrong active ingredient, or have the right ingredient but in an incorrect quantity. Counterfeit pills may contain lethal amounts of fentanyl or methamphetamine and are extremely dangerous because they often appear identical to legitimate prescription pills, and the user is likely unaware of how lethal they can be.
DEA LAB TESTING REVEALS THAT 4 OUT OF EVERY 10 PILLS
WITH FENTANYL CONTAIN A POTENTIALLY LETHAL DOSE
WHAT DO THEY LOOK LIKE?
Counterfeit pills are nearly identical to actual prescription medications. The majority of counterfeit pills resemble oxycodone 30mg pills (M30s), but can also mimic hydrocodone, alprazolam (Xanax), Adderall, and other medications. There are indications that drug trafficking organizations are specifically targeting kids and teens by creating counterfeit pills in a variety of shapes and bright colors to appeal to that age group. Counterfeit M30 pills can vary in color from white to blue. The best way to avoid counterfeit medication is to take only medications prescribed by a licensed medical professional and dispensed by a registered pharmacist.
WHAT IS THEIR EFFECT ON THE BODY?
Counterfeit pills that contain fentanyl can be deadly. A lethal dose of fentanyl is about two milligrams, equivalent in size to a few grains of salt. Fentanyl, similar to other commonly used opioid analgesics (e.g., morphine), produces effects such as relaxation, euphoria, pain relief, sedation, confusion, drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, urinary retention, pupillary constriction, and respiratory depression. Synthetic opioids, such as illicit fentanyl, remain the primary driver of the increase in overdose deaths, accounting for 80 percent of all deaths involving an opioid. Counterfeit pills containing methamphetamine are highly addictive and act on the central nervous system. Taking even small amounts of methamphetamine can result in wakefulness, increased physical activity, decreased appetite, rapid breathing and heart rate, irregular heartbeat, increased blood pressure, and hyperthermia (overheating).
HOW TO RECOGNIZE A FENTANYL OVERDOSE?
• Cannot be woken up or not moving
• Breathing slow or absent
• Discoloration of lips and nails
• Choking or coughing, gurgling sounds
• Cold or clammy skin
• Dizziness or disorientation
• Pupils extremely small
Fake prescription pills are easily accessible and often sold on social media and e-commerce platforms, making them available to anyone with a smartphone, including minors.
If you think someone is having an overdose, call 911 immediately and wait with the person until help arrives. If you think your child is using fentanyl or other opioids, please contact your family physician or your school site counselor.
For more information: https://www.dea.gov/onepill
Address/Location
Fairfield, CA Police Department
1000 Webster St
Fairfield, CA 94533
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 707-428-7300
TEXT-A-TIP - Text TIP FAIRFIELDPD followed by your message, to 888777