It only takes one pill.
If it’s fake it can be a deadly mistake.
Fake pills are causing overdose deaths in people of all ages around the country. If you didn't get your medication from a retail pharmacy and if it's not prescribed for you, you can't be sure it's safe.
The average person can't tell the difference between a real pill and a fake pill by looking at them.
REAL ADDERALL
VS COUNTERFEIT
Images from Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
WHAT IS BEING ADDED?
Fentanyl, Methamphetamine, Xylazine and other synthetic drugs are some of the substances being added.
When counterfeit drugs are made, potentially harmful substances are mixed in with the drug you think you're getting. Since this is not done in a lab with scientific equipment, the substances aren't blended and the dosing is not precise. This means some pills may be made of 100% harmful additives, like Fentanyl, that can cause a deadly overdose, while others may have only a small amount. If it's fake, it can be a deadly mistake!
Photo from: NH Public Radio
AMOUNT OF HEROIN, FENTANYL & CARFENTANIL NEEDED TO CAUSE FATAL OVERDOSE
Depending what is mixed in the pill, a tiny amount can be enough to cause a fatal overdose.
LOCAL RESOURCES
Find Local Treatment & Harm Reduction Resources
Click your region below to connect with an organization to get FREE naloxone near you.
In Norwalk, contact The Norwalk Partnership
To search for services statewide, visit the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services or
211 of CT.​
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You can also find helpful information on the following sites:
Harm Reduction Resources in CT
​
Harm Reduction
Naloxone
Naloxone is a medication that is designed to reverse opioid overdose. It is now available over-the-counter. It works by binding to opioid receptors, which can reverse and block the effects of other opioids, such as heroin, morphine, and oxycodone.
Naloxone should be administered if a person is showing signs an overdose. After administering naloxone, the person should seek immediate medical attention because it is possible to overdose again when the naloxone wears off.
Signs of Overdose:
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Small, constricted "pinpoint pupils"
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Falling asleep/loss of consciousness/limp body
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Shallow or slow breathing
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Pale, blue, or ashen-colored skin
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Choking or gurgling sounds
Find Naloxone
You can also take part in a free naloxone training. In Connecticut, contact your regional behavioral health action organization.
Fentanyl Test Strips
Fentanyl test strips can be used to identify the presence of fentanyl injectable drugs, powders, and pills. Although the tests are highly sensitive, it is possible that fentanyl is present in another part of the substance that wasn't tested.​
How they work:
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Dissolve a small amount of substance in water.
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Dip the test strip into the liquid for 15 seconds.
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Read result after 5 minutes.
Find Fentanyl Test Strips
Misusing prescription drugs puts you at risk of encountering fake pills.
14.4 MILLON PEOPLE
In the United States, an estimated
14.4 million people ages 12+ have misused prescription drugs in the past year. Prescription pain relievers were the most commonly misused. SOURCE
12.2% OF CT HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
Reported ever taking prescription drugs without a doctor’s prescription with rates highest for 9th and 10th graders. SOURCE
The only safe place to get prescription medication from is a retail pharmacy that distributes FDA-approved drugs and they are only safe if they are prescribed for YOU.