After a recent study by the GBI Crime Laboratory determined that imitation prescription pills contain deadly opioids, officials on Tuesday issued a public warning.
Since January 2015, the GBI crime lab has received 454 exhibits of counterfeit pills, GBI Director Vernon Keenan said in a news release.
Metro Atlanta residents are most at risk, Kennan said, and those who purchase pills should be aware of the increase in fake drugs containing powerful, synthetic narcotics such as fentanyl and its derivatives. About 75 percent of fake pills marked as oxycodone, a prescription painkiller, contained fentanyl.
“We're issuing a public alert to persons in the immediate state of Georgia who may purchase pills off the street," Keenan told Channel 2 Action News.
In Georgia this year, 16 people have died as a direct result of exposure to furanyl fentanyl, or U-47700, Keenan said.
Law enforcement officials are likewise warned because even handling the pills with bare skin can lead to overdose.
At a minimum, gloves should be worn when handling pills from an unknown source, regardless of markings or indications, the warning states. However, as long as prescriptions are obtained from a pharmacy, the pills are safe to take as directed.
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