Fentanyl is the most deadly illicit drug on the market today, but it’s not alone. Fatal overdoses are on the rise because many powerful drugs are being laced with or used in combination with fentanyl. One of the most recent illicit drug problems is fake opioids known as M30s.
The DEA issued a warning about fake prescription pills containing fentanyl and meth. The pills are widely available and often contain deadly amounts of fentanyl. Last year law enforcement seized more than 9.5 million fake pills. The number of DEA-seized fake pills has jumped 430 percent since 2019.
The most common fake pills resemble prescription opioids such as Percocet, Oxycontin, Hydrocodone, Vicodin, or Xanax. Some of the pills may look like stimulants such as Adderall. The drug known as M30 looks like oxycodone and has the letter “M” on one side and the number “30” on the other side. Hence, the name M30s.
Ruthless drug dealers, in an attempt to increase profits, lace drugs with fentanyl because it is cheaper and easier to obtain. The market is expanding as people purchase the pills through social media and other e-commerce platforms. Anyone with access to the internet can obtain the pills. The fake opioids are also available through dealers on almost any street in America.
Surprisingly, individuals with ill intent can obtain a pill press and counterfeit pill mold for about $500 to $1,000. The presses are available online and virtually untracked. They can produce thousands of counterfeit pills per hour.
Possession of a pill press is not well regulated and generally only involves fines for violation of DEA registration requirements. The person in possession of the press is not likely to serve jail time. As a result, domestically manufactured counterfeit pills continue to cause overdose deaths by the thousands every year.
Unfortunately, there is no shortage of dangerous illicit drugs. Anyone purchasing street drugs should assume they contain fentanyl or other deadly substances. The likelihood of suffering an overdose is not worth the risk.
In addition to fentanyl, fake opioids may contain traces of the following substances:
The amount of these substances in fake opioids varies. One pill can contain enough of the deadly substances to induce overdose or death. Health officials encourage illicit drug users to be cautious and carry extra doses of naloxone (Narcan) in case of an overdose. This precaution is necessary because, in most cases of fake opioid overdoses, one dosage of naloxone was not enough.
Fake opioids are difficult to detect, even for experts. The people who manufacture these drugs have become skilled in the art of deception. And, they don’t care about your safety.
To prevent unknowingly ingesting these deadly drugs, avoid pills from friends, street dealers, or websites that sell drugs without a prescription.
If you’ve been experimenting with fake opioids, please seek professional treatment right away. The drugs are dangerous to your health and can be life-threatening.
Did the above information cause you to be concerned about your fake opioid use? We hope so because we care about you and want you to enjoy a sober, productive life. Contact us today to learn how we can help you overcome drug abuse and addiction.
When you undergo addiction treatment at Design for Change, you will be treated with respect and compassion throughout your time in our program. We offer a comprehensive assortment of evidence-based therapies that can be customized to fit your needs. Some of the therapies we offer include, but are not limited to:
Depending on the extent of your addiction, you may choose inpatient, intensive outpatient, or partial hospitalization programs. Our therapies seek to help you heal physically, mentally, and spiritually to ensure long-term sobriety.
Don’t put it off another day. The longer you wait to seek treatment, the worse the addiction will become. You also put yourself at increased risk for overdose, especially if you’re using fake opioids without realizing it. So, contact our Lancaster, CA facility today and let us help you take back control of your life.
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