The Dangers of Misrepresented Drugs Threaten Everyone in Michigan

You’ve probably heard about the virtual epidemic of fake fentanyl sweeping the nation. Tens of thousands of victims across America and, of course, many thousands here in Michigan are dying every year from overdoses caused by these dangerous drug duplicates.

But the threat of deadly misrepresented drugs isn’t limited only to fentanyl. Just this month, attorneys here at Mike Morse Law Firm won an historic $75 million wrongful death settlement for the family of Denis Preka, a student whose life was cut short in 2019 when people he might have imagined were “friends” offered him what he thought was Adderall, intended for a study aide, but turned out instead to be MDMA (a substance also known as ecstasy or molly). Those callous individuals then amused themselves by making a video recording Denis’ suffering and posting it on Snapchat as he was dying before their eyes. It’s only now that Denis’ parents have finally found some kind of justice as our team successfully represented them in the wrongful death civil lawsuit we filed against the culprits. (Criminal charges for those involved are currently also under consideration according to Oakland County prosecutors.)

To help prevent this kind of horrifying tragedy from affecting any other Michigan families, we’re taking the opportunity here to discuss the scourge of counterfeit drugs, how to avoid falling victim to these potentially lethal imitation chemical compounds, and what you can do if someone you love is affected. To do that, we’ll start by answering a few frequently asked questions about this deadly epidemic.

What Types of Drugs Pose the Greatest Dangers?

The DEA reports that synthetic opioids (such as fentanyl) are currently the most common causes of death by overdose nationally. In 2023 (the latest year for which we have complete statistics), nearly 75,000 Americans died from this cause. And fake fentanyl is continuing to plague innocent victims – especially since 60 percent of bogus fentanyl pills being illegally trafficked across the country are now reported to contain potentially lethal doses of the drug. A DEA spokesperson noted that this trend represents “a dramatic increase – from four out of ten to six out of ten – in the number of pills that can kill.”

Almost as deadly is a different class of drugs known as psychostimulants, which include methamphetamine (sometimes called crystal meth, ice, crank, etc.). In that same year, more than 36,000 people across the country were killed by overdoses of these psychostimulant drugs.

Another deadly substance is cocaine (sometimes known as blow, Yayo, nose candy, etc.) which added nearly 30,000 more names to the national death toll in 2023 – a number that’s five percent higher than the total of cocaine-related deaths reported in the prior year.

While deaths resulting from overdoses of MDMA (the drug that killed Denis Preka) are considered relatively rare by comparison, more than two million Americans used this illegal “party drug” in 2022. It’s important to note, though, that Denis had been fallaciously told that the drug he was given was actually far less dangerous Adderall. In the hope of being able to better focus on his studies, he might have been caught by surprise when the misrepresented drug began to affect him in an unexpected way.

Legally, MDMA is labeled as a Schedule 1 substance – like heroin and LSD it’s considered to be among the illegal drugs with the highest level of risk by the Drug Enforcement Administration and, as a result, it’s a felony in Michigan to possess any quantity of MDMA. Denis Preka’s stepfather told reporters that Denis had “80 times the amount of a fatal dose of MDMA” in his system when he died.

Why Are Counterfeit Drugs So Deadly?

Simply put, while they often closely resemble the real thing (as these photos clearly demonstrate), counterfeits are not made in controlled laboratory conditions, and they are often composed of other hazardous chemicals, dangerous “fillers” or substandard ingredients which are not even the right substances to make the specific drug the makers are attempting to replicate. Underground labs in Mexico, China, Pakistan, and India, among other places, are not inspected for safety, and might be unsanitary as well. Without critical quality control systems in place to prevent these pills from containing high doses of fentanyl (to name just one possible adulterated substance they might include), taking them is akin to playing “Russian roulette.”

How Can You Protect Yourself and the People You Love?

Simply put, it’s best to not ingest illegal narcotics, especially if you don’t know their source. Of course, if you genuinely need a specific drug, get a prescription and go to a legitimate pharmacy to have it filled, or seek out assistance at a state-approved clinic. The DEA sums up their advice on the matter as follows: “Never take a pill that wasn’t prescribed directly to you. Never take a pill from a friend. Never take a pill bought on social media. Just one pill is dangerous, and one pill can kill.”

In a worst-case scenario, if someone you know is overdosing, it can help to know where to find and how to administer naloxone, a drug that safely reverses the effects of opioids. Most emergency medical technicians and such organizations as local fire departments have this antidote on hand at all times. And there are even hundreds of naloxone “vending machines” now stationed strategically across the state, with dozens spread across sites in Wayne County alone. The State of Michigan also offers a variety of other valuable resources that can provide assistance to people who need help overcoming substance abuse. Locally, you can dial 800-241-4949 to reach the 24-hour substance abuse hotline serving residents of Wayne, Oakland, Lapeer, Livingston, Macomb, and St. Clair Counties.

If You or Someone You Love Have Been Harmed, Call Us

To conclude, we hope the tragic case of Denis Preka will never have to be repeated for another innocent Michigan family. But if you or someone you care about are ever impacted by illegal or ersatz drugs that have been misrepresented, experience proves that we may be able to help. We urge you to call us at 855-MIKE-WINS (855-645-3946), and we’ll do our part to get you fairly compensated for your lost or injured loved ones.

Content checked by Mike Morse, personal injury attorney with Mike Morse Injury Law Firm. Mike Morse is the founder of Mike Morse Law Firm, the largest personal injury law firm in Michigan. Since being founded in 1995, Mike Morse Law Firm has grown to over 200 employees, served 40,000 clients, and collected more than $1.5 billion for victims of auto, truck and motorcycle accidents. The main office is in Southfield, MI but you can also find us in Detroit, Sterling Heights and many other locations.