Jason S. Miyares
Attorney General of Virginia

One Pill Can Kill Image

One Pill Can Kill:
Working Together in Virginia to Fight Fake Pills
& Fentanyl Overdoses

Image of blue pills

One Pill Can Kill is an initiative aimed at raising awareness and addressing the severe risks associated with counterfeit pills and fentanyl overdoses in Virginia. Drug traffickers are flooding the market with fake pills designed to resemble commonly prescribed medications, leading to an alarming increase in drug poisoning deaths. The consequences of these counterfeit pills, often containing highly potent and lethal substances like fentanyl, have resulted in significant public health crisis

THE PROBLEM

Counterfeit pills, often mistaken for legitimate prescription medications such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, alprazolam, and stimulants like amphetamines, are being mass-produced and distributed through social media and e-commerce platforms. The deceptive nature of these fake pills poses a grave danger, as they frequently contain fentanyl and other hazardous substances. These substances have contributed to a surge in drug poisoning deaths, with an overwhelming impact on adolescents and the wider Virginia community.

VIRGINIA'S STANCE

Tragically, Virginia has not been spared from the crisis. The Commonwealth has witnessed a staggering increase in fentanyl overdose deaths in recent years, with an alarming 1,951 Virginias losing their lives to fentanyl overdoses in 2022. Furthermore, fatal drug overdoses have eclipsed motor vehicle and gun-related deaths combined, making drug overdose the leading cause of unnatural death in Virginia.

EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES

To help fight this epidemic, we have provided an array of resources and educational materials aimed at equipping you with the knowledge and tools to protect yourself and your loved ones from the dangers of counterfeit pills and fentanyl. Our resources encompass online tools, treatment options, fact sheets, and vital information to educate and empower individuals on this critical issue.

TAKE ACTION

Through One Pill Can Kill, we are committed to combatting the crisis of counterfeit pills and fentanyl overdoses in Virginia. Together, we can empower our community to recognize the threats posed by these fake medications and take decisive steps to safeguard against their potent and perilous consequences.

WHEN IN DOUBT, THROW IT OUT.