Synthetic Drug Statement

The overuse and misuse of prescription and over-the-counter medications, as well as the increasing use of counterfeit drugs and fake pills, is a serious public health threat. Prescription opioid medications, like morphine, hydrocodone, and oxycodone, are prescribed to treat pain, but are increasingly being misused. Additionally, counterfeit drugs and fake pills contaminated with lethal doses of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, have flooded the market, contributing to the opioid epidemic. Opioid-related deaths per year increased from 8,048 in 1999 to 80,411 in 2021— more than ten times higher! Synthetic opioids (primarily fentanyl) are the main causes of overdose deaths.

• Criminal drug networks are mass-producing fake pills and falsely marketing them as legitimate prescription pills to deceive the American public.
• Fake pills are easy to purchase, widely available, often contain fentanyl or methamphetamine, and can be deadly.
• 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.
• Many fake pills are made to look like prescription drugs such as oxycodone (Oxycontin®, Percocet®), hydrocodone (Vicodin®), and alprazolam (Xanax®); or stimulants like amphetamines (Adderall®)

Tips for Parents and Caregivers One Pill Can Kill | DEA.gov

 — Encourage open and honest communication

 — Explain what fentanyl is and why it is so dangerous

 — Stress not to take any pills that were not prescribed to you from a doctor

 — No pill purchased on social media is safe

 — Make sure they know fentanyl has been found in most illegal drugs

 — Create an “exit plan” to help your child know what to do if they’re pressured to take a pill or use drugs

 — For more tips on how to talk to your child about drugs, read Chapter 4 of Growing Up Drug Free: A Parent’s Guide to Substance Use Prevention at www.getsmartaboutdrugs.com/publications

 For additional local information please visit https://www.sdcoe.net/about-sdcoe/news/post/~board/news/post/fentanyl-and-other-drugs-awareness-resource-guide