SAN DIEGO (AP) - Authorities are blaming blue pills sold illicitly on the street for causing at least four overdose deaths in the San Diego area during a 24-hour period earlier this week.
The Los Angeles Times reports the overdose deaths occurred in the San Diego County cities of Poway, Santee, Valley Center and Lakeside.
San Diego County Undersheriff Michael Barnett said Thursday the pills, promoted as painkillers, are likely counterfeit versions of the powerful narcotic Oxycodone hydrochloride.
He says they were recovered at the scenes of each fatal overdose.
Barnett added that the pills may have also caused several nonfatal overdoses.
The source of the pills is under investigation.
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