Rural America is no stranger to drug problems, but there's one that seems to be growing faster in 2022 than in the past – counterfeit pills. People hooked on oxycontin may be seeking illicit sources, but that choice could be a killer with counterfeit pills laced with lethal doses of fentanyl. The Omaha Field Office of the Drug Enforcement Administration reached out to discuss the threat in the most recent episode of the Around Farm Progress Podcast.

Justin King, special agent in charge, DEA Omaha Field office, offers insight on the problem. Why it's not just a city issue and shares some insights on the challenges of addiction. It's a conversation you may not have expected in farm country but one worth having.

One concern is that King's office is being flooded with counterfeit pills like never before, and he shares a few statistics. The number of counterfeit pills confiscated in just the first three months of 2022 match all collected in 2021 in some parts of the Midwest. It's that bad.

Compounding that issue is that lethal dose of fentanyl in those fake products creating a one pill kills scenario. He shares some stats on the issue, but if you want to know more visit dea.gov/onepill for some startling stats, and a look at just how close those counterfeit pills look to their originals.

Give it a listen.

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