Pierre — In a press release on Wednesday, the Pierre Police Department Captain Bryan Walz says the department encountered counterfeit fentanyl-laced Oxycodone responding to an unknown medical incident on Monday. Officers were able to identify the subject was experiencing signs and symptoms of a potential drug overdose and administered two 4mg doses of Naloxone, which is used to counter the effects of an opioid overdose. Walz states in the release during the investigation officers discovered counterfeit blue M30 Oxycodone pills which are often referred to “Blues” in the subject’s possession. The fake pills are made outside of the United States and are illegally brought in and contain Fentanyl, a binder or filler of Meth, Acetomenaphin or Tramadol. They can be potentially fatal if ingested or come into contact with a person’s skin. Walz states the public is advised it is unknown how many of these counterfeit pills may be circulating in the Pierre Area and to use caution if you come across any suspicious loose medications.
Officers in the Pierre Police Department began carrying Naloxone in April of 2017 and have since been administered 20 times and Pierre has no known overdose deaths during the time frame.
