During a warrant search last week, the Mecosta County Sherriff’s Office seized pills with pharmaceutical markings. After being tested they were discovered to be Methamphetamine.
The stimulant is highly addictive and known to speed up the body’s system. High doses can cause convulsions, cardiovascular collapse, stroke or death according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
The Sheriff’s Office is alerting the public of the dangers of counterfeit pills, which are illegally manufactured by criminal drug networks and made to look like real, prescription opioid medications or stimulants. Fake prescription pills are widely accessible and often sold on social media and e-commerce platforms, making them available to anyone with a smartphone — including minors.
In a statement on Wednesday, the office called the drug overdose crisis a serious public safety threat, adding rates are reaching the highest level in U.S. history.
While Fentanyl is the primary driver in these deaths, Mecosta authorities said methamphetamine is increasingly being found in local counterfeit pills. The office warns individuals to only use medications prescribed by medical professionals and dispensed by a licensed pharmacist.
