[Zeke]

I haven't been in a partnership since the 70's but this fellow, sometimes a friend and sometimes a dick, died late last year of an accidental fentanyl overdose. He was 72 and wasn't in great health. He did have a legitimate history of taking pain medication.

However, due to the crackdown on all painkillers, IDT he had what he needed so likely stepped out of the box and bought some fake pills. Of course the family is mum about the details.

The point I'm making was spurred by an article in the LA Times today about U.S. agents buying pills in Mexico from Tijuana to Cabo San Lucas in little mom and pop stores to bright and big chain looking stores. They sent all the purchases to be analyzed.

Now the figures are bad, but like 40% bad. From pills sold by the single dose to sealed bottles that looked identical to prescribed drugs, a large percentage was fake, either all the contents or partially intermixed.

The Oxy and Hydrocodone led the opioid list and Adderall led the stimulant list.

I knew this fellow pretty well inspite of an up and down relationship depending on his mood at the time. No doubt drugs played a part. However, he was very much anti drug including weed all his life. He was never a recreational user, he was just in a lot of pain. He wouldn't even drink hard liquor. Shoulders, knees, anything normal for a guy in construction for 50 years. I know the drill.

If you know anyone that would accept drugs from any kind of private, illegitimate source, they are in grave trouble risk wise. Or if they travel and buy prescriptions for much less, as has been a common occurrence for anyone within driving distance to Mexico for years.

No comments about pharmaceutical companies or this goes to PARF. It's just a reminder for caution.

The fellow had just closed the doors to his business and moved to his retirement home 6 months prior. He had no plans to die.