Dangerous fentanyl masked as counterfeit oxycodone, 20,000 pills seized in the Bronx and Manhattan
Understanding these risks is crucial for safeguarding individuals from their harmful effects. Counterfeit pills containing fentanyl vary in risk but can be deadly if they contain a dosage high enough to be fatal. San Diego Sheriff’s Narcotics and Gang Division responded to the four overdose deaths. Detectives are now working with first responders to learn if they have received any similar overdose calls. These cases were drawn from Redditors who decided to post about these experiences and questions, who are not representative of the general population of PWUD. Although the demographics of the posters is unknown, prior research has found that Redditors are more likely to be younger men in the U.S. (Clement, 2020; Pew Research Center, 2019).
What Is The M30 Pill (Blues Drug)? Let’s Find Out
Blues, also known as M30s or a lookalike of oxycodone, are a type of commonly abused prescription painkiller. In addition to different brands, there are also counterfeit street versions. The pills are stamped with an “M” logo on one end and the number 30 imprinted on the other. The above quote highlights the further issue of variable tolerance to opioids.
Looking at the Latest Development in the Opioid Crisis
Unfortunately, this comes as no surprise – with the numbers showing an increasing number of opioid overdose deaths each year. There were less than 20,000 opioid-related deaths in the United States in 1999 and more than 106,000 deaths in 2021, just over two decades later. The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) has taken note and is paying a close attention when it comes to this particularly deadly drug. Counterfeit M30 pills have effectively flooded the market as easy-to-sell oxycodone substitutes. Many of these pills don’t contain just oxycodone, they’re actually lethal fentanyl pills. To learn more about drug addiction treatment options, please contact an Ark Behavioral Health specialist.
What is Fentanyl?
This transition further exacerbates the cycle of addiction and increases the risk of overdose and other adverse outcomes. Like other opioids, the Blues Drug has a high potential for addiction and dependence. Prolonged use can lead to tolerance, requiring higher doses to achieve the desired effects and withdrawal symptoms upon cessation.
They do this to give buyers a stronger high and cut production costs (as fentanyl is relatively cheap to manufacture). In Australia, MDMA was rescheduled on 1 July 2023 as a schedule 8 substance (available on prescription) when used in the treatment of PTSD, while remaining a schedule 9 substance (prohibited) for all other uses. Permits for research uses on humans must be approved by a recognized ethics committee on human research. Overdose deaths in New York City are at record-high levels and fentanyl is involved in more than half of these fatalities. A customer accustomed to taking oxycodone would not necessarily have the tolerance to be able to ingest fentanyl without suffering an overdose.
The Dangers Of Blues Drugs
Berman believes her son bought the drug, which he thought was Xanax, from a dealer on Snapchat. A graduate of Middle Tennessee State University, Long has been a writer for Landmark Recovery since 2021. He specializes in research and writing about substance abuse from a scientific and social perspective. Unearthing information from underexplored, far-flung corners of the Internet, Long’s passion is finding emerging trends in substance use and treatment that the public should know about. Reach out to our compassionate team today and start your journey to a life free from addiction.
With access to M30 pills on the rise, it’s important to remember that many of the pills that you can get without a doctor’s prescription are counterfeit. Dealers also buy counterfeit Oxycodone M30, Oxycontin, Percocet, and other pills by way of dark web drug markets, online marketplaces, and cartels. After manufacturing, these fake pills are distributed using a variety of methods. Online sales, black market drug sales, and in-person dealing are all major sources of distribution. In general, young people are more likely to use pills than other types of street drugs because they’re usually cheaper. They also lack strong smells, which helps teenagers hide their drug use from their parents.
They may be labeled incorrectly with a number or letter being different or the stamp may be slightly different. Some people use the drug because they are trying to escape from life, while others become addicted antibiotics and alcohol to opioids because of pain. Due to the inexpensive nature of these ‘blues’ pills on the street (often sold for less than $5 each) they have become a problem in every state of our great country.
However, data included here indicate that PWUD are clearly concerned about their safety, even while using risky substances. Stigma prevents the development of resources that could help PWUD looking to protect themselves, so they instead turn to Reddit for advice. The current study sought to understand perceptions of and experiences with IMF in pressed M30 pills in light of recent public and press attention, such as the current drug warnings by the DEA. Among PWUD in the online community of Reddit, the pressed nature of this specific opioid pill was commonly known and, to a degree, expected by the community reflected in our sample.
Additionally, differences among the drug patterns and risks of PWUD who engage in social online communities, as compared to those who do not, are unknown. Demographics, locations, and information on drug use beyond the drug of discussion were not available. Further, the current research did not cbt and dbt in alcohol addiction treatment assess the accuracy or quality of the advice provided, as data was limited to the main post and did not explore the comments (i.e., conversations engaged in) after a Redditor sought advice. Despite these limitations, the current research provides timely insights to an emerging phenomenon.
This dangerous side effect can lead to oxygen deprivation and organ damage if not promptly addressed. This type of treatment combines access to some of the tools used during inpatient treatment, but it doesn’t remove someone from their regular life.
It seems there are so many of us who have lost friends, old classmates, children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and parents to overdose. Counterfeit M30 pills are usually made with a pill press using a mix of opioid drugs in the homes of manufacturers. Much like the “trap houses” of popular culture, there exist buildings and homes that are used for manufacturing drugs that contain opioid mixtures. Recently, though, many U.S. drug traffickers have started producing them as well. Fentanyl is a synthetic (human-made) opioid that doctors use to treat severe cancer pain.
At that price, the combined total number of pills recovered in these investigations could have carried a street value of up to $600,000. Even knowing what to look for, however, some manufacturers are so good at what they do that it’s almost impossible to tell if the pill is legit without a lab test. There is also no way to ensure dosing is accurate or that you will get the expected result when you decide to use one of these drugs and it can even be deadly. And there is an increasing presence of these pills in the illegal drug market, whether in Maricopa County or anywhere in Arizona for that matter. Unfortunately, when fake pills are made well, it is impossible to tell whether they are counterfeit or real unless you know what to look for.
It only takes one bad pill for a lethal fentanyl overdose – and the DEA has already seized millions of these pills in 2024. Furthermore, whether a pill is counterfeit or prescribed by a doctor, opioids are incredibly addictive. People consuming Oxycodone M30 pills and other opioids regularly are likely to go through withdrawal symptoms when they stop using them. These symptoms can be so uncomfortable that you’ll want to seek out pills or other substances to relieve them.
- Posts from Redditors in this study also highlighted the possible role of stigma in finding reliable information on harm reduction strategies, as many Redditors had concerns over their consumption.
- Facilitating PWUD to have a clearer and more timely idea of the fentanyl content of the pills could inform decisions about use and dosing.
- To protect the anonymity of post authors, the Reddit usernames were removed, and direct quotes were slightly altered to reduce the risk of searchability of posts (Ayers et al., 2018; Wilkinson and Thelwall, 2011).
- This is one of the ways that attending a rehab facility while you withdraw from opioids can help.
- Overdoses come on quickly and if you are alone, there may be nobody to call for help.
To protect the anonymity of post authors, the Reddit usernames were removed, and direct quotes were slightly altered to reduce the risk of searchability of posts (Ayers et al., 2018; Wilkinson and Thelwall, 2011). These days, any pills obtained without a prescription from a doctor are likely counterfeit. There’s dmt: uses side effects and risks also a high risk that these fake pills are laced with fentanyl, a potent, dangerous substance responsible for the rapidly increasing number of overdose deaths in the United States. When the COVID-19 pandemic began, lethal amounts of fentanyl began flooding the black markets and showing up in unexpected places.
Many M30 pills contain fentanyl, a highly potent synthetic opioid that can quickly lead to respiratory depression and death, even in small doses. There is a growing concern over the increased prevalence of fentanyl contaminated oxycodone pills, referred to as M30s. The current study is an examination of content on the Reddit social media site in order to understand the perceptions of and experiences with exposure to fentanyl contaminated M30 pills. Above the first floor retail area, agents and officers found a second floor storage area and recovered approximately 14,000 small blue tablets stamped “M30” that closely matched the color and markings of prescription oxycodone. The pills were split between 14 bags, each holding approximately 1,000 pills, and are suspected to contain fentanyl. Police also recovered two brick-shaped packages wrapped in duct tape, each weighing approximately one kilogram, containing a tan powdery substance with the characteristics and appearance of heroin.