BARROW COUNTY, Ga. -- Investigators have started a massive drug crackdown after the recent deaths of 16 people in one county alone. Most died because of reactions to the powerful prescription painkiller OxyContin.

In Barrow County in just over three months, 16 people have died from drug overdoses. The chief cause is a drug that was designed to help cancer patients and has the addictive power of heroin.

Authorities have seized nearly 4,000 prescription pills, including OxyContin and Hydrocodone. Officials said the seizures amount to well over $100,000 in drugs.

VIDEO: 16 Die Of Drug Overdoses In Barrow County

“People are coming in and getting multiple prescriptions of the drugs and using them and selling them on the street to make money,” said Chief Deputy Murray Kogod with the Barrow County Sheriff’s Office.

A single OxyContin pill can be sold for $50. Dozens in Barrow County have been arrested for either buying or selling drugs. But 16 have died from overdoses -- 11 of those by prescription drugs.

Addiction counselor Bob Davis told Channel 2’s Tom Regan that pain medicine abuse is rampant in Barrow and in other areas of metro Atlanta. Davis said the addict doesn’t realize when he’s about to overdose.

“Probably the result of either snorting the drug or using an IV or combining it with some other drug,” said Davis.

A Barrow County agency that helps abused and neglected children said a lot more parents of the children are addicted to prescription drugs.

“The parents are usually sleeping or high or out getting the drugs,” said child advocate Cyndi White.

Authorities said some of those using prescription drugs may lie to their doctors about their condition to get the drugs. Many others are ordering the drugs on the Internet.

More arrests are expected in the investigation.