Dutchess County Drug Task Force Public Safety Announcement
he Dutchess County Drug Task Force is informing the public that another form of counterfeit Oxycodone containing Fentanyl has been seized in Dutchess County. The counterfeit pills seized are white in color, oblong shaped and imprinted 10/325 and M523. A more common counterfeit pill containing Fentanyl is the Oxycodone M30 (See photo below). Only take prescription medications you receive from a medical professional. Prescription medications sold illegally can often be fraudulent and contain Fentanyl. Please see below for the two most common types now being seized and have contributed and or have been the cause of overdose deaths in our communities.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is similar to morphine but is 50 to 100 times more potent. According to the Federal Drug Enforcement Administration, as little as two milligrams of fentanyl can be lethal. According to the CDC, 107,622 Americans died of drug overdoses in 2021, with 66 percent of those deaths related to synthetic opioids like Fentanyl. In 2021, the Dutchess County Drug Task Force recorded more than 100 fatal drug overdose deaths within Dutchess County with Fentanyl being involved in an overwhelming amount of cases. If you encounter Fentanyl in any form, or any other drug, do not handle it and call 911 immediately.
If anyone has information regarding this case or about any other individuals selling drugs in Dutchess County, you are urged to contact the Drug Task Force confidential tip line at 845-463-6040 or by sending an email to the following web address: DrugTaskForceTips@gmail.com.
The Dutchess County Drug Task Force encourages anyone seeking assistance with drug addiction or treatment to call the Dutchess County HELPLINE at 845-485-9700 or walk into the Stabilization Center at 230 North Road in Poughkeepsie (845) 486-2849. This contact is available 24/7/365 to help you get connected to the services you need. You can also visit Dutchess County Government website at the following web address: https://www.dutchessny.gov/Departments/DBCH/alcohol-substance-use-services.htm
