Law enforcement leaders are warning about the dangers of fentanyl after a seizure of disguised pills in Parsons.

Parsons Police Chief Robert Spinks said that the state crime lab reported that an October 2018 drug seizure of suspected Oxycodone pills turned out to be a fentanyl pills, according to the state crime lab.

Spinks said in this case the fentanyl was disguised as oxycodone pills and sold on the black market. That is dangerous because fentanyl is far more potent than other drugs that may be used.

"Fentanyl, in that big a dose, is going to kill you," he said.

The drug is so hazardous that Spinks said first responders can experience symptoms simply from inhaling its dust.

In light of the fentanyl threat, law enforcement is warning that no one should buy oxycodone or other opioid painkillers except from a pharmacist.

"If you illegally bought some oxys, just because you have a habit, get rid of them," said Spinks. "Its not a hoax. Put it in our receptacle; we don't track who comes in there."

The Parsons Police Department has a pill drop box at the Police Department at 217 N Central.

Spinks said this is a public safety issue.

"You're gonna reach into the pill bottle and its going to be your last time," he said. "The risk is death. The choice is yours."

A fentanyl overdose can be treated with naloxone, a medication that Parsons PD is working to arm its staff with. But Spinks said that it requires a massive dose- and its often too late by the time emergency responders arrive.

"Don't take a chance," he said. "Get Help. Because this is going to have disastrous consequences."