DEA issues public safety alert for counterfeit pills

The DEA is warning of fake pills containing fentanyl and methamphetamine.

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – The Drug Enforcement Administration issued a public safety alert for counterfeit prescription pills containing fentanyl and methamphetamine on Monday.

Availability of counterfeit pills has increased due to international and domestic drug networks mass-producing pills.

According to the DEA, the pills are easy to purchase, widely available and often contain deadly doses of fentanyl.

The DEA seized more than 9.5 million fake pills in 2021, more than the last two years combined.

Counterfeit pills can look similar to prescription opioids such as oxycodone and hydrocodone.

According to the Center for Disease Control, more than 93,000 people died from drug overdoses in 2020.

The public safety alert does not apply to prescribed medicines by medical professionals or dispensed by pharmacists.

The DEA has launched a public awareness campaign, One Pill Can Kill, to inform the public on dangers of counterfeit pills.

More information can be found at DEA.gov/onepill.