Many counterfeit pills are made to resemble prescription opioids such as Percocet or stimulants like Adderall — it’s nearly impossible to see the difference between a real prescription drug and a fake one. Many of these counterfeit pills contain deadly amounts of illicitly manufactured fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that is up to 50 times stronger than heroin.
Fentanyl is often added to other drugs (heroin, cocaine, Ecstasy, cannabis, meth), and you’d never know — you can’t see, taste or smell it. A tiny amount of fentanyl can stop someone from breathing, resulting in death. Here are some tips that can help prevent fatal and non-fatal drug overdose and contribute to the health and safety of our UWM community.
- The safest and healthiest choices are to not use illicit substances and not misuse prescription medications.
- Whether intentional or not, mixing drugs (alcohol, illicit drugs, prescription drugs) is never safe because the effects of combining drugs may be stronger and more unpredictable than one drug alone. It can be deadly.
- Always let your doctor know what drugs you are taking to prevent adverse reactions with newly prescribed medications. Take prescribed medications only as directed.
- Do not take pills that didn’t come from a pharmacy and weren’t prescribed for you.
- Never use illicit substances alone. There won’t be anyone there to help if you overdose.
- Learn about the signs of overdose and what to do if you think someone is overdosing.
- If you or your friends or loved ones use prescription opioids or illicit drugs, carry naloxone (Narcan), a safe medication that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.
- Reach out if you think or know you or someone you care about has a problem with alcohol or other drugs. Please contact a professional at University Counseling Services or Norris Health Center. Help is available and people with substance use problems can and do get better.
