Benton County, OR – Law enforcement officials are warning residents across the mid-Willamette Valley to stay alert as counterfeit prescription pills containing deadly fentanyl continue circulating throughout Oregon.
According to the Benton County Sheriff’s Office, fake pills made to look like common prescription medications are increasingly appearing in illegal markets, with authorities stressing that a single pill can be fatal.
The alert follows new findings from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), which show that seven out of every 10 counterfeit pills tested contain a potentially lethal dose of fentanyl. These pills are often designed to mimic legitimate medications such as oxycodone, Adderall, or Xanax, making them difficult to distinguish from real prescriptions.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that officials say is up to 100 times more potent than morphine, significantly increasing overdose risk. Nationwide, more than 107,000 people died from drug overdoses last year, with approximately 68% of those deaths involving synthetic opioids, primarily fentanyl.
Authorities warn that pills purchased through social media, messaging apps, or from unverified sellers are especially dangerous. According to law enforcement, counterfeit pills are commonly produced by international drug trafficking organizations, including cartels operating in Mexico using chemical components sourced from China.
The Benton County Sheriff’s Office emphasized that the only safe medications are those prescribed and dispensed by licensed medical professionals and accredited pharmacies. Any pills obtained outside of licensed pharmacies are illegal, unregulated, and potentially lethal.
Officials are urging parents and guardians in Benton County, including Corvallis and surrounding communities, to speak with children and teens about the risks of counterfeit drugs and opioid exposure.
Residents can find additional prevention and education resources through DEA.gov/OnePill and GetSmartAboutDrugs.gov. Anyone with information about illegal drug activity is encouraged to contact local authorities.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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