FENTANYL... The Silent Killer
How to educate your teen.
What is Fentanyl?
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is similar to morphine but is 50 to 100 times more potent. It is a prescription drug that is also made and used illegally. Like morphine, it is a medicine that is typically used to treat patients with severe pain, especially after surgery or for cancer treatment. It is also sometimes used to treat patients with chronic pain who are physically tolerant to other opioids. - National Institute on Drug Abuse
Why and how are drugs laced with it?
The illegally used fentanyl most often associated with recent overdoses is made in labs. This synthetic fentanyl is sold illegally as a powder, dropped onto blotter paper, put in eye droppers and nasal sprays, or made into pills that look like other prescription opioids. Drug dealers are mixing fentanyl with other drugs, such as heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, and MDMA. This is because it takes very little to produce a high with fentanyl, making it a cheaper option. - National Institute on Drug Abuse
Fentanyl is both sold alone and often used as an adulterant because its high potency allows dealers to traffic smaller quantities but maintain the drug effects buyers expect. Manufacturers may also add bulking agents, like flour or baking soda, to fentanyl to increase supply without adding costs. As a result, it is much more profitable to cut a kilogram of fentanyl compared to a kilogram of heroin. - UMASS Chan Medical School
How is Fentanyl getting into kid’s hands?
The deadly drug has been found in vape pens on high school campuses in recent months. There is also a growing concern that middle school, high school, and college-aged kids are being targeted as criminals make fentanyl pills disguised as oxycodone, Adderall, Xanax, and Percocet as well as other various common pills.
How to talk to your kids about the dangers of Fentanyl.
Start a conversation with your child. Have a general conversation about pain, stress, and medications. Explain that pain and stress are normal things that happen in life, and provide suggestions on how to manage them. Explain what fentanyl is and why it is so dangerous. Fentanyl is a very strong opioid. It is tasteless, odorless, and an amount about the size of one grain of salt can cause an overdose. It is often mixed into powders and counterfeit pills.
If you think your child is using, focus the conversation on safety and drug use. Talk about how you as a parent or caregiver want them to be safe, instead of focusing on punishment for drug use. Contact CYS immediately and CYS can help you determine if they are using as well as help set up a plan to keep them safe. Do not “wait and see”, get help right away.
Most importantly, remind your teen they are not alone. Contact CYS today for more advice on how to talk to your teen, counseling and other services please call: (949) 303.9016