Alberta RCMP issue warning about opioid-laced drugs after teenager's death
The pills resemble a commonly used drug to treat anxiety, but may be laced with a potentially fatal dose of opioids.
The warning comes following the death of a 16-year-old that police believe may be related to ingestion of the imitation pills.
The legal medicine, Xanax, is normally available by prescription. However, investigators have identified replica pills laced with the highly potent opioid isotonitazene.
Investigators have also released photos of the counterfeit pills to the public.
'Parents, relatives, and other community members need to share this information as much as possible, and especially so now that school is out,' RCMP public information officer Cpl. Troy Savinkoff said. 'It is important that the public knows the extreme danger that this dangerous replica can pose.'
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Investigators are working to identify the source of the deadly drugs and stop their distribution.
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In the meantime, Savinkoff said it is important that members of the community see the photos of the drugs, share them with their kids, friends and relatives and 'let them know that these pills could kill them.'
The RCMP have released photos of the counterfeit drugs in an attempt to inform the public about 'the extreme danger' they pose. Alberta RCMP
The pills are described as grey, rectangular, and stamped with the letters ONAX on one side and the number '2' on the other.
Savinkoff said prescriptions should only be purchased from a reputable, licensed pharmacist.
On Monday the Edmonton police also issued a warning about counterfeit Xanax pills, following a seizure in June of similar pills laced with the same highly potent opioid isotonitazene.
The street value of those drugs was estimated at nearly $5,000.
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On Monday, Edmonton Police also issued a warning about fake pills made to look like the anti-anxiety drug Xanax but contain a potentially deadly dose of the opioid isotonitazene. Edmonton Police Service
The RCMP is asking anyone with information about the counterfeit drugs to call their local police department or the RCMP at 310-7267 (RCMP).
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