(image courtesy of the DEA)
There is a new twist in this surge of fentanyl, which is flooding in from Mexico, 1200 WOAI news reports.
The DEA is starting to see fake pills, laced with the deadly opioid, that are coming in candy colors
"It's a deliberate effort by these drug traffickers to drive addiction amongst kids and young adults," says Assistant Special Agent In Charge Corey Handy.
While these rainbow-hued pills have not shown up in San Antonio, he says it's only a matter of time. They've been spotted in 18-states so far. That's why he says parents need to stay on top of their trend, and speak with their children about the dangers.
"According to the DEA lab, these rainbow-colored pills are no less potent," he tells Newsradio 1200 WOAI's Michael Board
He says that sales of the drug are usually conducted online, so parents need to monitor their kid's social media usage.
In the latest release of federal border data, seizures of fentanyl went up nearly 200% in July. More than 2100 pounds were seized. That's the highest amount in at least four fiscal years.
https://www.dea.gov/press-releases/2022/08/30/dea-warns-brightly-colored-fentanyl-used-target-young-americans