The opioid crisis has taken a devastating toll on countless lives across the globe, with fentanyl becoming one of the deadliest threats. Among its most vulnerable victims are teenagers, who are increasingly falling victim to the dangers of this opioid. On average, 22 high school-aged students died each week from overdoses in 2022 as a result of fentanyl-laced prescription pills. As families, educators, and communities try to deal with this growing crisis, everyone must understand the risks fentanyl poses to young people and what actions must be taken to protect them.
Fentanyl is a potent opioid, estimated to be 50 to 100 times more powerful than morphine and about 50 times more potent than heroin. This high potency means that even a tiny amount can cause a fatal overdose. For teenagers who may lack experience or knowledge about drug use, the risk is even higher. Many are unaware of the lethal danger posed by this drug, especially when it is unknowingly hidden in other street drugs.
One of the most alarming aspects of this opiate is that it is found in so many other drugs. Illicit drug manufacturers often mix fentanyl with heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, and counterfeit prescription pills to enhance their potency. Teenagers looking to purchase recreational drugs, such as prescription painkillers or party drugs, may unknowingly consume fentanyl-laced substances. This contamination has led to a surge in overdose deaths among young people who believed they were taking something that was not dangerous.
Fentanyl is highly lethal. Two milligrams is all it takes to kill the average human. This is equal to 10-15 single grains of table salt. In comparison, it would take a few hundred milligrams of cocaine to near a state of an overdose. It's hard to prove just how fatal it is. While you may feel the numbing or high feeling you are looking for, you could be overloading your body with powerful medication, forcing your system to go into emergency mode.
While in emergency mode, your blood pressure will continually rise, trying to remove the opioid from your bloodstream. This will eventually lead to your circulatory system's complete collapse. Your lungs will begin to heavily slow, causing a suffocation effect. You will experience a loss of cognitive ability, making it impossible to ask for help. You may develop a pulmonary edema, which is when liquids seep into your lungs, causing you to drown in your own fluids. You will be dead in a matter of minutes. This is why every minute matters. This is a short list of possible deadly symptoms that should convince everyone to stay away from illicit drugs.
Many actions can be taken to raise awareness and prevent teens from being exposed to this fatal compound. Education is key. Children need to learn more about illicit drug use from a very early age. Many adults wait until the teen years to discuss this issue with young people, but conversations about illicit drugs should occur much earlier. Schools, parents, and community organizations must work together to provide accurate information about the dangers of fentanyl, as well as other drugs. Open and honest conversations about the risks and signs of drug use can help teenagers make good choices later in life. Authorities, community organizations and schools should work together to provide information and resources to parents and caregivers about how to talk to the children in their lives about drugs, how to recognize drug use in minors, and locating resources for families affected by illicit drug use.
Naloxone is an antidote to opioid overdoses. Giving schools, community centers, and families access to naloxone can save many young lives. Training educators, parents, and teenagers on how to recognize the signs of an overdose and administer naloxone is critical. Many pharmacies in the U.S., such as Walgreens and CVS now carry naloxone kits. You can even buy over-the-counter naloxone nasal spray at CVS. It is also available nationwide at pharmacies without prescriptions. It is vital to carry naloxone on you if you or anyone you know struggles with drug addiction. Having this on you could save a life. There are many organizations worldwide that provide free naloxone kits to people who may need them. More people need to know how readily available this is and how to administer it to save lives.
Every minute matters when working to save a life, whether it is your own or someone else's life. Fentanyl is considered the most potent opioid and you have a significant risk of finding it yourself by accident if you go looking for illicit drugs. It only takes two total milligrams hidden in any pill, patch, or shot to end a life. Remembering that there are many things you can do to ensure your safety and the safety of those around you is important. Taking part in drug awareness can ensure that you are well informed. Simply carrying naloxone could be the difference between life or death for you or a friend. Or, just don’t take the risk; it's death in one dose.
Works Cited
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“5 Things Everyone Should Know about Fentanyl.” Health & Wellness Services, 13 June 2023, www.colorado.edu/health/blog/fentanyl.
“Facts about Fentanyl.” DEA, www.dea.gov/resources/facts-about-fentanyl.
“Drug Overdose Deaths among Teenagers Surged during the Pandemic Driven by Illicit Fentanyl.” CNBC, CNBC, 19 Dec. 2022, www.cnbc.com/2022/12/19/fentanyl-drug-overdose-deaths-surged-among-teenagers-during-pandemic.html.
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American Pain Society. “The Fentanyl Story.” The Journal of Pain, vol. 15, 2014, pp. 1215-1226. https://www.jpain.org/article/S1526-5900(14)00905-5/pdf.
“Fentanyl & Overdose Prevention.” CDPH, 25 October 2023, https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/OPA/Pages/Communications-Toolkits/Fentanyl-Overdose-Prevention.aspx.
“FentFacts - Behavioral Health Services - County of Santa Clara.” Santa Clara County Behavioral Health, https://bhsd.sccgov.org/fentfacts.
Millar, Abi. “Fentanyl: where did it all go wrong?” Pharmaceutical Technology, 27 February 2018, https://www.pharmaceutical-technology.com/features/fentanyl-go-wrong/?cf-view.
“Cocaine Guide | Overdose | Treatment.” Green Hill Recovery, greenhillrecovery.com/cocaine-overdose-and-treatment/.
“Fentanyl: One Pill Kills | Texas Health and Human Services.” Www.hhs.texas.gov, www.hhs.texas.gov/services/mental-health-substance-use/mental-health-substance-use-resources/fentanyl-one-pill-kills#:~:text=Just%202%20milligrams%20of%20fentanyl.
“What Happens to the Body during Opioid Overdose.” Minutes Matter, 28 Aug. 2020, minutesmatter.upmc.com/what-happens-to-the-body-during-opioid-overdose/.
WHO. “Opioid Overdose.” World Health Organization, 29 Aug. 2023, www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/opioid-overdose.
We loved the chance to work with you! And we love your work. It is amazing. Please keep up the good work! 💛💙(The Death in One Dose Team)