Hancock Public Health is warning the public about fake prescription pills containing fentanyl and methamphetamine.

The agency says the Drug Enforcement Administration has issued a public safety alert in response to the increasing availability of counterfeit prescription pills available on the U.S. illicit drug market.

The DEA warns that international and domestic criminal drug networks are flooding the United States with lethal counterfeit pills.

The alert does not apply to legitimate pharmaceutical medications prescribed by medical professionals and dispensed by pharmacists.

The DEA says they’re seizing deadly fake pills at record rates.

More than 9.5 million counterfeit pills were seized so far this year, which is more than the last two years combined.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, last year more than 93,000 people died of drug overdoses in the United States, marking the largest number of drug-related deaths ever recorded in a year.

Hancock Public Health is reminding people that they have Narcan kits available for the public, no questions asked.

Narcan is a medication designed to rapidly reverse an opioid overdose.

Gary Bright is Injury Prevention Program Supervisor with Hancock Public Health.

“It looks pretty clear to us that the more Narcan kits we get out there, in the hands of folks who may potentially overdose, the less fatal overdoses we’re going to have,” Bright said.

He says while Narcan can rapidly reverse an overdose it’s imperative to call 911 because the opioid is still in the person’s system.

Click here for more information about Narcan and how to receive a kit.

People can also call Hancock Public Health at 419-424-7105 for more information.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGdUFMrCRh4