CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department has launched the “No Cap, Those Pills are Sus” campaign to educate and spark conversations about the risks of fentanyl-laced drugs. Playing off of slang phrases, the goal is to target young people and their families to reduce overdose deaths.

This year the police department reported a total of 179 overdose deaths, an increase of 20% over 2022. Sixty percent of the fatalities were under the age of 40.

The campaign includes digital and printed materials with various slang phrases, statistics and warnings. The goal is to target younger and more impressionable audience to make sure they really understand the severity of these drugs.

“Many drug users and especially younger ones – aren’t aware of what’s in the drugs they are taking or understand why taking a street pill is like playing Russian roulette,” said Lt. Robert Sprague in a statement.

Seventy-five pounds of suspected fentanyl has been seized this year by the Vice Unit. 

Resources are available online, including tips for parents and secure drop box locations to safely dispose of drugs. Lt. Bryan Crum said they encourage people to use the drop boxes.

“It’s completely anonymous,” Crum said in a statement. “This is not something to get people in trouble, we just want to save lives.”

Those resources can be found online by visiting street-pills-kill.com.

The police urge residents to say something if they see something, to help understand the risks and dangers of these drugs and to protect themselves and their loved ones.