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Missoula Police Are Investigating Fentanyl Overdoses

Fentanyl tablets stamped to look like legitimate prescriptions.
Missoula Police Department
Fentanyl tablets stamped to look like legitimate prescriptions.

Missoula Police say they are investigating an undisclosed number of drug overdoses associated with pills containing fentanyl, a dangerous synthetic opioid. 

Missoula Police say they’ve seized grey pills associated with a recent spate of overdoses. Officials say the pills are stamped to make them look like a legitimate opioid prescription, but actually contain fentanyl, a synthetic opioid 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. 

Spokeswoman Lydia Arnold says police aren’t releasing the number of overdoses connected to the pills, but she says the department is encouraging parents to talk with their kids.

“And remind them of the dangers associated with taking unknown substances and taking and how quickly overdoses can happen,” Arnold says.

In a press release, Missoula Police say a local 18-year-old recently died from a fentanyl overdose. The release also says other areas of Montana and neighboring states have been responding to similar overdose cases. Missoula police are not releasing any more information at this time.

If you have information related to the case, you can call crime stoppers at 406-721-4444 or call the Missoula Police Department.

Copyright 2021 Montana Public Radio. To see more, visit Montana Public Radio.

Aaron is Montana Public Radio's Flathead reporter.