The Drug Enforcement Administration has issued a Public Safety Alert warning Americans of the alarming increase in the lethality and availability of fake prescription pills containing fentanyl and methamphetamine.  The DEA’s One Pill Can Kill Public Awareness Campaign intends to educate the public of the dangers of counterfeit pills and urges all Americans to take only medications prescribed by a medical professional and dispensed by a licensed pharmacist.

In 2023, DEA seized more than 79.5 million fentanyl-laced fake pills and nearly 12,000 pounds of fentanyl powder. The 2023 seizures are equivalent to more than 376.7 million lethal doses of fentanyl.

In Virginia, the leading cause of unnatural death is drug overdoses, and has been since 2013. Opioids – specifically fentanyl – have been the driving force behind the large increases. In 2021, fentanyl contributed to 76.4% of all Virginia overdose deaths. The total number of fatal fentanyl overdoses increased 22.8% from 2020 to 2021. It was estimated that in 2021, 98% of fatal fentanyl overdoses in Virginia were caused by the illicit, rather than prescription, version of the drug.

Did you know…?

• 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 a devastating new height with more than 107,000 people dying over the last year from drug overdoses. 68% of overdose deaths involved synthetic opioids, primarily fentanyl.
• You cannot buy a legitimate pharmaceutical drug on social media. Not only is it not safe, it is illegal!
• 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 & achieve higher profits.
• The only safe medications are ones that come from licensed and accredited medical professionals. Pills purchased outside of a licensed pharmacy are illegal, dangerous, and potentially lethal.

Learn more at www.dea.gov/onepill.