Pills Found at Park Appear to be Allergy Medicine

JONESBORO, Ark. – A local mother was alarmed after her children found pills scattered around the park Sunday in Jonesboro.

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The dispatch log shows a 911 call at 8:55 AM on May 12 where the caller said there are pills scattered everywhere all over the Miracle League Park, 5000 S. Caraway Road. According to the caller, it looked like someone sprinkled them all over. The narrative written by the dispatcher even says her kids were close to eating them.

Four units were dispatched to take the report. One of the officers who arrived was Jacob Chambers, who met with the complainant and was shown the pills in question. The officer reported finding eight of the pills in the playground area of the park.

The pills were described as small white oval shaped pills with 4H2 imprinted.

Authorities collected the pills into evidence. The police report does not say whether they’ve been tested for a narcotic, yet.

However, they appear to be allergy pills.

According to Drugs.com, 4H2 white oval pills are cetirizine hydrochloride, an allergy medicine more commonly known as the antihistamine Zyrtec. It is not a controlled substance.

There were many concerns posted online about what could be in the pills, like fentanyl. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid and is only usually made into counterfeit pills that look like other opioids, the National Institute on Drug Abuse reports. JPD’s Public Information Specialist Sally Smith made the same point to a reporter. Since it is cheaper to produce, a small amount can be added to increase the high of other drugs. Making them into pills that offer no high, like Zyrtec, would not accomplish that.

However, without a test, it can’t be said for certain exactly what is in the pills.

Police do not believe anyone came into contact with the pills, aside from the officer. The pills were gathered and packaged at the police station for the drug take-back program.