Public Safety Alert

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is alerting the public of a sharp nationwide increase in the lethality of fentanyl-laced fake prescription pills. The DEA Laboratory has found that, of the fentanyl-laced fake prescription pills analyzed in 2022, six out of ten now contain a potentially lethal dose of fentanyl. This is an increase from DEA’s previous announcement in 2021 that four out of ten fentanyl-laced fake prescription pills were found to contain a potentially lethal dose.

Deadly Truths

> Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. It is a major contributor to fatal and nonfatal overdoses in the U.S.

> DEA lab testing reveals that 6 out of every 10 pills with fentanyl contain a potentially lethal dose.

> The U.S. overdose crisis has reached devastating new height with more than 107,000 people dying over the last year from drug overdoses. Sixty-eight percent of overdose deaths involved synthetic opioids, primarily fentanyl.

> The Sinaloa and CJNG cartels in Mexico are producing fentanyl and fentanyl-laced fake prescription pills with chemicals from China, intentionally poisoning Americans to drive addiction and achieve higher profits.

> 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.

> The only safe medications are ones that come from a licensed and accredited medical professional. Pills purchased outside of a licensed pharmacy are illegal, dangerous, and potentially lethal.

> In 2022 the DEA seized more than 58.4 million fentanyl-laced fake bills and more that 13,000 pounds of fentanyl powder The equivalent of over 387.7 million doses of fentanyl.

Signs of overdose

Recognizing the signs of opioid overdose can save a life.
Here are some things to look for:

Small, constricted “pinpoint pupils”
Falling asleep or losing consciousness
Slow, weak, or no breathing
Choking or gurgling sounds
Limp body
Cold and/or clammy skin
Discolored skin (especially in lips and nails)

What to do

It may be hard to tell whether a person is high or experiencing an overdose. If you aren’t sure, treat it like an overdose—you could save a life.

Call 911 immediately.*
Administer naloxone, if available.
Try to keep the person awake and breathing.
Lay the person on their side to prevent choking.
Stay with the person until emergency assistance arrives.

*Most states have laws that may protect a person who is overdosing or the person who called for help from legal trouble.

Did you know?

SAFE is providing free Naloxone (Narcan) at three Regional Health locations. Naloxone is a non-narcotic that, if administered in a timely manner, can reverse the life-threatening effects of an opioid overdose. The products are located in a safe distribution box at the front door of the East Chicago, Hammond (State St.) and Merrillville Regional Health locations.

Know the Codes

This reference guide is intended to give parents, caregivers, educators, and other influencers a better sense of how emojis are being used in conjunction with illegal drugs.Fake prescription pills, commonly laced with deadly fentanyl and methamphetamine, are often sold on social media and e-commerce platforms –making them available to anyone with a smartphone.