“CU Boulder Student Falls Into Coma After Taking Fentanyl-Laced Pill Mistaken for Xanax”

CU Boulder Student Falls Into Coma After Taking Fentanyl-Laced Pill Mistaken for Xanax

In a tragic incident that has shaken the University of Colorado Boulder community, a 26-year-old senior student, Alex Nazar, fell into a coma in September 2023 after reportedly consuming a counterfeit pill laced with fentanyl. What he believed to be a harmless dose of Xanax—a commonly prescribed anti-anxiety medication—turned out to be a fatal mistake that left him fighting for his life.

The shocking event has sparked new conversations on campus and across the state of Colorado about the dangers of counterfeit drugs and the escalating fentanyl crisis, which has taken thousands of lives nationwide in recent years.

A Night That Changed Everything

According to friends and family, Alex was not a regular drug user. He was a hardworking student majoring in environmental studies and known among his peers as responsible and focused. Those close to him shared that he had been feeling stressed due to academic pressure and upcoming job interviews, prompting him to seek out something to help him relax and sleep.

On the night of September 17, Alex reportedly obtained a pill he believed to be Xanax from an acquaintance. It was meant to be a one-time attempt to calm his nerves before a major presentation the next morning. Tragically, within hours of taking the pill, Alex became unresponsive. His roommate found him unconscious and immediately called 911.

Paramedics arrived swiftly and administered naloxone (Narcan), a life-saving drug that can reverse opioid overdoses. Although Alex’s pulse was restored temporarily, he slipped into a coma shortly after arriving at the Boulder Community Health hospital.

Medical tests later confirmed the presence of fentanyl—a synthetic opioid 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine—in his system.

The Dangers of Counterfeit Pills

Authorities investigating the incident revealed that the pill Alex took was a counterfeit. Instead of containing alprazolam (the active ingredient in Xanax), it was primarily composed of fentanyl, making it incredibly lethal even in tiny amounts.

“One pill can kill,” said Boulder Police Chief Maris Herold at a press conference addressing the incident. “Many counterfeit pills are designed to look exactly like legitimate prescription medications, but they are laced with deadly doses of fentanyl.”

This incident is not isolated. Across the United States, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has reported a surge in counterfeit prescription pills containing fentanyl. According to DEA data, 7 out of 10 counterfeit pills seized in 2023 contained a lethal dose of the synthetic opioid.

A Community in Mourning

The CU Boulder community quickly rallied around Alex and his family, offering support, prayers, and organizing awareness campaigns. A candlelight vigil was held on Farrand Field just days after the news broke, where hundreds of students and faculty members gathered to show solidarity.

“Alex is one of the kindest people I’ve ever known,” said Rachel Kim, one of his classmates. “He didn’t deserve this. None of us deserve to live in fear of what could be in a pill.”

The university administration released a statement expressing deep concern over the growing threat of fentanyl on campus and pledged to increase educational efforts to inform students about drug safety.

“We must work together to combat the dangers of fentanyl,” said Chancellor Philip DiStefano. “Education, awareness, and access to resources like Narcan are critical steps we are taking immediately.”

Response and Prevention Efforts

Following the incident, CU Boulder announced new initiatives aimed at preventing similar tragedies:

Free Narcan Distribution: Students can now obtain free Narcan kits from the CU Health Center and various residence halls.

Fentanyl Testing Strips: The university is providing fentanyl testing strips, allowing students to test any substances they may come across before use.

Expanded Counseling Services: Mental health support has been ramped up, with 24/7 crisis lines and more available counseling appointments.

Educational Campaigns: Informational sessions and workshops about substance safety are being held regularly across campus.

Local law enforcement is also working closely with federal agencies to trace the source of the counterfeit pill that led to Alex’s overdose. They hope to prevent the further distribution of such deadly substances in Boulder and surrounding communities.

Family’s Heartbreaking Plea

Alex’s family has been devastated by the incident. His mother, Karen Nazar, issued an emotional plea to other students and families:

“We never imagined this could happen to Alex,” she said. “Please, please warn your children and loved ones. One bad pill can destroy a life and a family. We are living that nightmare right now.”

Karen and her husband have also started a GoFundMe page to help cover Alex’s extensive medical costs and to promote awareness about the dangers of fentanyl. Funds raised will also support educational programs aimed at preventing similar tragedies in other college communities.

The Larger Crisis

Fentanyl overdoses have become the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18 to 45, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Experts warn that the proliferation of counterfeit pills has made the drug crisis even more insidious, as individuals often unknowingly ingest lethal substances.

Colorado itself has seen a sharp increase in fentanyl-related deaths, with the state reporting a 45% jump from 2022 to 2023 alone.

Public health officials are urging people to assume that any pill not directly obtained from a pharmacy or prescribed by a doctor could be contaminated with fentanyl.

Hope for Recovery

As of the latest updates, Alex Nazar remains in a medically induced coma. Doctors are cautiously optimistic but have indicated that even if he wakes up, he may face long-term neurological damage.

Friends, classmates, and supporters remain hopeful for a miracle.

“We’re praying for Alex every day,” said one of his professors. “His story must be a wake-up call for all of us.”