Not all pills are what they seem. Taking even one pill that wasn’t prescribed for you can have deadly consequences. One pill can kill. Stay informed. Stay safe.
One Pill Can Kill: Understanding the Risks of Opioids and Counterfeit Pills
Every year, countless lives are lost to opioid overdoses—many due to fake prescription pills that look harmless but hide a deadly secret. The opioid epidemic continues to devastate communities, and the rise of counterfeit pills has made it more dangerous than ever.
Today, getting pills online or from friends might seem easy, but the risks are higher than ever. Criminal drug networks are now mass-producing counterfeit pills that look just like authentic prescription medications—but they often contain lethal substances like fentanyl or methamphetamine. These fake pills are deliberately marketed to deceive the public, and they’re widely available on social media and e-commerce platforms—accessible to anyone with a smartphone, even teenagers and children.
What Are Opioids?
Opioids are a class of drugs that include powerful prescription painkillers (like oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, and codeine), synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, and illegal drugs like heroin. When used as prescribed by a doctor, opioids can help manage pain. But misuse—taking more than prescribed, using someone else’s pills, or buying pills from unregulated sources—can be life-threatening.
Opioids work by attaching to receptors in the brain, reducing pain but also slowing breathing and heart rate. This slowing can become so severe that it leads to unconsciousness, coma, and even death—especially if a high-potency opioid like fentanyl is involved.
The Hidden Danger: Counterfeit Pills
Drug traffickers are flooding the market with fake pills that are virtually impossible to distinguish from authentic prescription medications. Fake prescription pills are designed to be visually identical to legitimate medications like oxycodone (OxyContin®, Percocet®), hydrocodone (Vicodin®), alprazolam (Xanax®), and stimulants such as amphetamines (Adderall®). Unless a pill comes from a licensed pharmacy and was prescribed specifically for you, there’s no way to know for sure if it’s safe.
The scary truth? Just one pill—taken even once—can be fatal.
What makes these fake pills so deadly?
They're often laced with fentanyl or methamphetamine, which are much more potent and dangerous than most people realize.
There is no way to know what's inside just by looking at them. Counterfeit pills are expertly manufactured to look identical to real medications.
They are widely available and easy to buy, making them especially risky. Some people unknowingly purchase from fake online pharmacies.
Overdose Warning Signs
A person overdosing on opioids and fentanyl may show:
- Stupor or loss of consciousness
- Pinpoint pupils
- Cold, clammy, or bluish skin
- Slowed or stopped breathing (respiratory depression)
- Coma—often a deadly outcome without quick action
In the event of an overdose: call 911 immediately and administer naloxone (Narcan) if available.
Watch this video from Hanley Foundation’s Alli Jimenez, LMHC, NCC, CAP, to learn how to recognize an overdose and use naloxone effectively.
Naloxone (Narcan): A Lifesaving Solution
Naloxone, known by the brand name Narcan, is a medicine that rapidly reverses opioid overdoses, including those caused by fentanyl. Narcan can restore normal breathing within minutes and save lives while you wait for emergency responders. It’s available as an easy-to-use nasal spray and is safe to use, even if you’re not sure an opioid is involved.
Hanley Foundation has made free Narcan even more accessible by installing public Narcan cabinets throughout Florida. Anyone can access these lifesaving kits to have on hand in case of an emergency.
Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones
- Only take pills prescribed to you and filled by a licensed pharmacy. Never take medication from friends or an online or social media source.
- Be cautious about online pharmacies: Red flags include no prescription requirements, very low prices, foreign currency listings, missing pharmacy licenses, or unusual packaging.
- Educate your family: Talk to your kids about the risks of fake pills and opioids. One conversation could save a life.
- Learn how to use Narcan and know where to find it. Visit our website for a list of cabinet locations to pick up for free, or you can purchase it at your local pharmacy.
- Learn more at the DEA’s One Pill Can Kill website.
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Need Help? Hanley Foundation Is Here for You.
Opioid misuse and counterfeit pills are a real threat—but you don’t have to face it alone. Hanley Foundation provides prevention, education, treatment resources, and harm reduction tools like Narcan to help keep our community safe.
If you’re struggling or worried about someone you love, reach out.
