St Tammany Parish Coroner Dr. Chuck Preston says two overdose deaths this week from the same drug have him concerned that counterfeit prescriptions containing fentanyl and/or other toxic substances are being traded illicitly.
A 15 YO died from ingesting several pills, and a 22 YO died after taking just one pill.
Toxicology tests are being conducted, but Preston said relatively small amounts of Percocet are not typically fatal.
He said he is very concerned that the community may be experiencing illicit drug trade that involves intentionally tainted pills. Additionally, he said they have seen deaths related to ingestion of counterfeit Adderall, Xanax, marijuana, cocaine, and other pain pills. In other parts of the country, Fentanyl has even been detected in vape fluid.
Preston said the number of cases is escalating rapidly, and he considers this a pending healthcare emergency.
