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Officials: Fentanyl overdoses spreading across Georgia

Uncredited/AP

FILE - This undated file photo provided by the U.S. Attorneys Office for Utah and introduced as evidence at a trial shows fentanyl-laced fake oxycodone pills collected during an investigation. Congress has voted to temporarily extend a sweeping tool that has helped federal agents crack down on drugs chemically similar to fentanyl. The Senate on Thursday, April 29, 2021, approved legislation extending until October an order that allows the federal government to classify so-called fentanyl analogues as Schedule I controlled substances. The drugs are generally foreign-made with a very close chemical makeup to the dangerous opioid. (U.S. Attorneys Office for Utah via AP, File)

By: Associated Press

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(AP) — Fentanyl overdoses are spreading across Georgia. Some people are taking pills sold to them as Xanax or Percocet.

Officials say they are finding overdose clusters around Savannah and Columbus. Most cases initially were found around Augusta.

The state Public Health Department warned of the problem in April. From Jan. 1 to April 19 in Chatham County, there were 336 suspected overdoses. That compares to 368 in all of last year.

Officials say counterfeit pills also are being found in Chattahoochee, Dooly, Harris, Muscogee, Schley and Taylor counties.

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Officials: Fentanyl overdoses spreading across Georgia

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