The Cape Coral Police Department is committed to doing everything possible to keep our community safe from various threats, including those posed by dangerous drugs that take lives every day.
As U.S. overdose deaths have reached devastating new heights – claiming a new victim every five minutes – the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) issued its first Public Safety Alert in nearly 7 years in September 2021 to warn the American public about the alarming increase in the availability of counterfeit “prescription” pills.
Counterfeit pills are illegally manufactured by criminal drug networks and are made to look identical to real prescription medications such as oxycodone (Oxycontin®, Percocet®), hydrocodone (Vicodin®), and alprazolam (Xanax®), as well as amphetamines like Adderall®. These fake prescription pills are widely accessible and often sold on social media and e-commerce platforms – making them available to anyone with a smartphone, including minors.
Laboratory analysis has identified that nearly 4 out of every 10 seized counterfeit pill contains a lethal amount of fentanyl or methamphetamine. To put it into perspective, a lethal dose of fentanyl is only 2 mg, which is the equivalent of only 10 grains of table salt, and can fit on the tip of a pencil. All it takes is 2 mg of fentanyl in one of these counterfeit pills to end a life.
The CCPD is committed to bringing awareness to the public and warning them of the dangers of these counterfeit/fake prescription pills. The link posted below will take you to the DEA’s “One Pill Can Kill” website with a wealth of information.
Past efforts from the Cape Coral Police Department include the HOPE/HELP program (also linked below) as well as partnerships with SalusCare and the Lee County Coalition for a Drug-Free Southwest Florida. If you or anyone you love requires assistance or help with a drug problem, please reach out to us or one of the many community resources available.
One Pill Can Kill (Drug Enforcement Agency)
CCPD HOPE/HELP Programs
Lee County Coalition for a Drug-Free Southwest Florida
