Fentanyl
Just one fake pill can kill
The potency of illicit/street drugs is highly unpredictable, because these substances can be mixed with lethal doses of fentanyl that, even in very small amounts, can cause an overdose. Individuals who misuse stimulants (e.g., cocaine, amphetamines, methamphetamines) may be unknowingly exposing themselves to fentanyl, and as a result, become especially vulnerable to overdosing. Counterfeit pills, such as “blue oxys” and fake Xanax, have become increasingly available and are commonly laced with fentanyl.
NOTE: The images of legitimate and fake pills are examples and do not represent the many variations of fake pills. Never trust your own eye to determine if a pill is real or fake. The only safe medications are ares prescribed by a trusted medical professional and dispensed by a licensed pharmacist.
Can you spot the fake?
42%
of fake pills tested have at least 2mg of fentanyl.
Where can I find test strips?
Fentanyl test strips are simple, low-cost tools that can detect whether a drug has been mixed or cut with fentanyl. They’re an important step in reducing the risk of overdose, especially since fentanyl is often found in counterfeit pills and other street drugs. Even if a drug looks safe, it’s impossible to tell what it contains just by looking at it. Like chocolate chips in a cookie, fentanyl is almost always unevenly distributed, so it is important to test each dose that is being consumed. The same way you don’t get a chocolate chip with each bite of a cookie, testing only a small portion of a substance might not detect the fentanyl.
Thanks to federal funding, OSUS works with community partners across South Carolina to make fentanyl test strips available at no cost. Here you can find information about fentanyl test strips and where to get them.
NOTE: A negative test result does not guarantee 100% that the substance being tested is safe from fentanyl or other deadly additives that the strips don’t test for (like the animal tranquilizer xylazine). The current street drug supply is very toxic, and use of these drugs comes with a great many risks.
Find Treatment Centers for Opioid Dependence
For more information regarding fentanyl, visit:
In the News
Stay informed about how drug use and misuse are affecting communities throughout South Carolina, and how prevention, treatment, and recovery services are helping save lives.
