To the editor:
I’m writing to make your readers aware of two important pieces of proposed legislation at the State House regarding the dangers of pill press machines and their contribution to the opioid epidemic.
As a board-certified addiction medicine physician, I have personally seen the devastating impact of illicitly manufactured pills on patients, families, and communities. I strongly support the proposed legislation to ban the sale or possession of pill-pressing machines by civilians. This is a necessary and overdue step to combat the growing crisis of counterfeit prescription medications that are flooding the illicit drug market.
Pill-pressing machines are often purchased online from overseas suppliers and allow individuals with no medical or pharmaceutical training to mass-produce counterfeit pills that are indistinguishable from legitimate prescription medications. These pills often contain potent and lethal substances such as fentanyl, xylazine, or medetomidine, leading to accidental overdoses and deaths.
The ability of civilians to purchase raw ingredients and pill presses has led to a surge in the production of counterfeit benzodiazepines and opioids, which are subsequently sold as genuine medications like oxycodone or diazepam. Unsuspecting individuals, including patients struggling with substance use disorders, often take these pills under the assumption that they are receiving a regulated substance, only to suffer severe, and sometimes, fatal consequences.
Making it harder to get these machines will mean fewer illegal drugs with potentially lethal substances in them will be available, which in turn, will help reduce the number of overdoses. I applaud Rep. Marcus Vaughn, R-9th Norfolk, and Rep. Richard Wells Jr., D-7th Norfolk, for the action they are taking with their proposed bills and strongly encourage all legislators to support them to get them passed as soon as possible. A life may depend on it.
Sincerely,
Dr. Myles Jen Kin
Medical Director, New England
Recovery Centers of America at Danvers
