Counterfeit drugs increase the risk of overdose and are often dangerous
COLOMBIA, SC – Following a recent series of drug overdoses involving potent counterfeit benzodiazepines in the northern part of the state, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) and the Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services (DAODAS ) in South Carolina continue to emphasize that any medication purchased online or from any source that does not require a valid prescription poses a significant health risk.
Benzodiazepines are a type of medication approved for use in the treatment of anxiety, insomnia, seizures and acute alcohol withdrawal. Family names include Valium and Xanax.
Police in Greer, SC, recently seized a pill press that was probably used to produce large quantities of pills marketed as Xanax and contained the potent substance clonazolam. Several overdoses in the northern region of the state have been linked to this substance, and press drugs have also been sold across the country via online media.
“Buying drugs online without a prescription can be very dangerous because they can be counterfeit, which means they were created in an uncontrolled environment and can also contain other harmful ingredients.” said Emma Kennedy, director of DHEC’s Injury and Substance Abuse Prevention Division. “If the counterfeit pills are mixed with fentanyl, as is often the case, they can be particularly lethal. Now is the time to talk to your loved ones and check in with your school, middle and high school children, to remind them of these dangers. “
Deaths from overdoses involving the co-use of benzodiazepines and opioids have increased nationally in recent years. Suspected opioid overdoses, including among people with prescribed benzodiazepines, were about 40-50 percent higher in South Carolina in 2020 than in 2019. A health statement issued in December, based on recently released provisional information from 2020 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it also cites synthetic opioids as the main driver of the increase in opioid overdoses since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The combined use of even a legitimate and prescribed benzodiazepine with opioids can be particularly unsafe because both types of drugs sedate the person and suppress breathing. People should always carefully follow the dosage instructions for prescribed drugs and do not combine them with alcohol and / or illegal substances. Although Narcan cannot reverse the effects of a potent benzodiazepine, it can still prevent overdose death in situations where opioids and benzodiazepines are used together.
“Statistics show that more than 50 percent of opioids used improperly are purchased from friends and family, so unused prescription drugs should be discarded to eliminate the risk of misuse.” said Michelle Nienhius, DAODAS ‘Prevention and Intervention Services Manager. “Drug disposal sites are available year-round, and South Carolina residents can find a convenient location at justplainkillers.com/drug-safety.”
Additional features:
• DEA feature “Get Smart About Drugs” for parents and family: what you should know and how to protect your children from online drug purchases • For those who face substance use problems related to the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a service 24/7 support line available at 1-844-SC-HOPES. • For information on preventing opioid overdose, the opioid antidote Naloxone, finding a recovery provider, pain control and overdose data, visit www.justplainkillers.com • Additional information on DHEC opioid prevention programs for families and community organizations are available at www.scdhec. gov / opioid epidemic.