Fentanyl crisis hits Houston through counterfeit pharmaceuticals

HOUSTON – Drug analysts in Houston have found dangerous fentanyls in fake pharmaceuticals and powders 10 times since the beginning of the year.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration labeled it a "fentanyl crisis" in July.

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It only takes two milligrams for a user to overdose on fentanyl and fentanyl derivatives, according to the DEA. They are very dangerous.

Fentanyl also threatens law enforcement, forensic analysts and first responders because a lethal dose can be accidentally inhaled or absorbed through the skin.

The Houston Forensic Science Center has found the drug or its derivatives twice in powders, and eight other times in fake pharmaceuticals.

The fake pharmaceuticals can be particularly dangerous because the user believes they are buying drugs such as Oxycodone or Xanax, and overdose because they are unaware the fake pill contains fentanyl.

The media has reported that such fentanyl-laced pharmaceuticals caused the death of pop star Prince.

The DEA said that between August 2013 and the end of 2015, U.S. law enforcement agencies have seized at least 239 kilograms of illicitly-produced fentanyl.

Between late 2013 and late 2014, more than 700 fentanyl-related deaths occurred in the United States.

The DEA said that the current crisis is more serious than in 2006, when heroin was laced with fentanyl.

At that time, one lab in Mexico was mixing fentanyl with heroin.

The current fentanyl crisis is being traced to China, and pill-press operations are being found across North America, according to authorities.

The DEA said that in March and April, 52 overdoses and 10 deaths in Sacramento were traced to counterfeit Norco pills that contained fentanyl. Nine people died between January and March in Pinellas County, Florida, from fentanyl-laced counterfeit Xanax pills.

HFSC will continue to monitor the situation in Houston and keep the public informed.