Florida AG issues 'dire warning' after cadets overdose: 'One pill can kill'

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (CBS12) — Spring breakers are getting their second warning in a week about the dangers of drug use after several students, including West Point cadets, overdosed.

“Fentanyl is a deadly synthetic opioid 50 times more potent than heroin,” Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody reiterated. “It is being mixed with cocaine, methamphetamine and even pressed into pill form before being sold to unsuspecting users. Last week, I warned spring breakers about the dangers of using illicit drugs.”

That was Tuesday. Then, Thursday, police in Wilton Manors said six men and a woman overdosed on fentanyl-laced cocaine at a vacation home and were taken to hospitals.

SEE ALSO: Deputies: Home of teen arrested for kill list had feces, urine, roaches, crack cocaine

Axel Casseus, 21, is under arrest in the case. He’s charged with trafficking cocaine.

Fort Lauderdale Fire Department Battalion Chief Steve Gollan told WPLG-TV two of those who overdosed were sickened because they tried to give CPR to the initial overdose victims.

Moody said often, users have no idea that fentanyl is in other drugs until it is too late, and the Drug Enforcement Administration reports a recent surge in seizures of counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl.

Also, fentanyl is so potent that it can cause medical problems simply by coming in contact with a person’s skin.

“Two milligrams of fentanyl is enough to kill a full-grown adult, so please, never use illicit drugs because just one pill can kill,” Moody said.

She added, the opioid crisis is killing 21 people every day in Florida. Click here for Dose of Reality Florida, a one-stop website for Floridians to learn about the dangers of opioid misuse, how to receive support for addiction and where to drop off unused prescription drugs.