Attorney Rafael M. Gonzalez, Jr. Opioid and prescription drug abuse is at an all-time high. In , 70, drug overdose deaths occurred in the United States and more than 70 percent of those deaths involved an opioid. Historically, the opioid epidemic began with a rapid increase in the prescribing of opioids starting in the s.
It continued when those addicted to opioids began to use heroin because it was cheaper and more readily available. Now, the most recent part of this epidemic is the increase in availability of counterfeit pills.
Counterfeit pills are illicitly manufactured in clandestine labs, mostly using fentanyl as the active ingredient, and are made to look like legitimate prescription opioids commonly prescribed to alleviate pain or anxiety. These counterfeit pills are then illegally sold by street drug dealers as Oxycodone, Xanax, Percocet, or other similar drugs.
Counterfeit pills are also being sold over the internet and delivered by mail. These counterfeit pills have led to increased overdoses and deaths across the country but particularly here in the Western region of the United States where there was a 67 percent increase in such death rates from to It is important to note that there is no concern of counterfeit pills entering the legitimate prescription supply chain.
Attorney Gonzalez. The public must be aware that while these pills may look like prescription drugs, they likely contain the powerful synthetic opioid fentanyl. That pill you bought off the street could be the last one you ever take. Counterfeit pills are incredibly dangerous because these imitation pills often look exactly like prescription Oxycodone in size, shape, color, and markings. In other words, there is no way to tell whether a pill purchased illicitly on the internet or the street is actually Oxycodone or a more powerful drug.
Here are the different characteristics to look for:. To identify a pill, you can go online and look for pill identification tools.
For example, Poison Control Centers have a pill identifier that may help. The DEA also has images of drugs available on their website. If an online pill identification tool does not produce any results, double-check the imprint. You might need to use a magnifying glass on very small pills to distinguish the letters and numbers. If you're having trouble identifying the pills, you can always take them to your local pharmacist, who may be able to help you.
Finally, you can even try reaching out directly to the FDA's Division of Drug Information with a description of your pill and ask them to help you identify it. If you can't identify the pill by any of these means, it may not be FDA-approved and could be an illegal or counterfeit drug or alternative remedy. The below information can help you identify just some of the most commonly misused pills. Since these pills can come from a variety of manufacturers and appear differently, these descriptions are only rough guides.
One small, round, blue pill that you might find is Adderall. It has the marking "AD" on one side and the number "10" on the other. Some people might take Adderall without a prescription to help them concentrate and to do better at school or work. Others take it to get high. Adderall pills can either be swallowed or ground up and snorted for a quicker effect. Pills can be round or triangular in shape.
Dilaudid also comes in liquid form. There are many similar pills, but only one has those markings. Although it is just a cold and cough medication, teenagers and young adults in particular misuse the dextromethorphan also called DXM contained in these little red pills. In addition to dextromethorphan, this cold medication also contains an antihistamine. Deaths from kids misusing DXM and Coricidin have been reported.
Ritalin, also known as methylphenidate , is a stimulant drug that is about the size and shape of aspirin. The small pills can be pale yellow 5 milligrams , pale green 10 milligrams , or both white and yellow 20 milligrams , and are stamped with the manufacturer's name, Ciba. Like Adderall, Ritalin is often misused to improve productivity and performance at work or school. Xanax is one of a group of addictive prescription medications known as benzodiazepines.
It comes in a variety of shapes and colors and is imprinted with the manufacturer's name and strength including:. People often think prescription drugs like Xanax are safer than illicit street drugs, but these medications can be very dangerous—especially when mixed with painkillers or alcohol.
These white, oblong pills imprinted with the manufacturer name on one side and strength on the other side are one of the most commonly misused prescription painkillers. Vicodin can suppress a person's breathing, which can be life-threatening.
Like Vicodin, OxyContin is another opioid that can produce similar effects as heroin. They can come in round tablets and a few different colors, depending on the strength: white 10 milligrams , gray 15 milligrams , pink 20 milligrams , brown 30 milligrams , yellow 40 milligrams , red 60 milligrams , and green 80 milligrams.
In addition to finding unknown pills, there are also some signs to watch out for that may indicate someone you know may be abusing prescription or illegal drugs. To help prevent prescription drug abuse , there are some things you should and shouldn't do according to NIDA:.
Also, remember to discuss any past substance misuse with your doctor before taking a new medication. If you're concerned a friend or loved one might be misusing pills, sharing what you found and conveying your concerns in a non-judgmental way could be a good place to start. You can also offer to help them schedule an appointment with a mental health professional.
If the loved one in question is your teenager and you're worried approaching them won't go well, you can always ask someone else they trust and respect to step in. You could also raise your concerns with your pediatrician or a child psychologist , and they can bring up the subject during the appointment.
For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database. While there are pill identification resources online, remember to never take a pill without knowing what it is. While the list here might help you get started, there are many more pills out there that you may need help identifying. In the case that you are still stuck, your local pharmacist might be able to help you. If you're concerned about a friend or loved one's possible prescription or illicit drug use, go ahead and talk to them, but be prepared for resistance.
Learn the best ways to manage stress and negativity in your life. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. December 17, National Institute on Drug Abuse. What is the scope of prescription drug misuse? Updated June Misuse of prescription drugs research report: Overview. Published June Food and Drug Administration. Updated November 10, Drug Enforcement Administration.
Drug facts: Amphetamines. Highlights of prescribing information: Dialudid. Revised December Published December
0コメント