Health Services » Fentanyl Awareness

Fentanyl Awareness

There is an imminent threat to the health and safety of our youth that we want to bring to your attention: Fentanyl, a man-made Schedule II narcotic, has reached a growing number of communities of all sizes across Texas and has negatively impacted numerous lives. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that within the last two years:

 

●     Teen overdose deaths related to Fentanyl have tripled.

●     Over half of all overdose deaths are related to Fentanyl use.

 

Fentanyl is a manufactured opiate drug used in the medical field to treat severe pain, often administered by paramedics and ER staff in emergency situations. Sadly, an underground market for this drug has developed, and it is often marketed to youth. Even the smallest amount of Fentanyl (that which can fit on the end of a pencil lead) can be lethal. It is often mixed with other drugs, such as cocaine and heroin, and can sometimes be made to look like candy. It has no color or smell that is detectable, so the teen has no idea that what they are taking has Fentanyl in it. Death from Fentanyl overdose happens when the respiratory system slows or not enough oxygen gets to the brain.

 

What is Navasota ISD doing?

  • The district is partnering with local law enforcement, emergency management, and health authorities to monitor and collaborate on the best way to combat the crisis.

  • The district stocks Narcan at all campuses. School nurses and district police officers can administer Narcan quickly enough to help reverse the effects of a fentanyl overdose.

  • The district will annually instruct students in grades 6–12 on fentanyl abuse prevention and drug poisoning awareness. The fentanyl documentary Dead on Arrival is shown as part of the instruction.

  •  Informational posters have been distributed to all secondary campuses and placed in hallways and restrooms.

What Can Parents do?

  • Talk to your teen. Discuss the dangers they may face at parties and social events. Let them know they can talk to you about things that concern them.

  • Monitor their social media and app usage. This is a common way that teens get access to this drug.

  • Encourage your teen to get involved with extracurricular activities, church, service projects, and community and school organizations. Keeping your teen involved can help battle loneliness, isolation, and hopelessness.

  • Monitor your child’s behavior. Has their behavior changed lately? Do they have a new set of “friends”? Are they keeping to themselves more often than usual?

  • Seek help if your child is facing a mental health challenge or if you suspect they are using any substance.

  • Learn about the fentanyl crisis and help spread the word that this is a dangerous situation. Visit the Centers for Disease Control website’s Fentanyl Facts as a starting point.

How would my child get Fentanyl?

  • Drug traffickers are using social media to advertise drugs and conduct sales. If you have a smartphone and a social media account, then a drug trafficker can find you. This also means they are finding your kids who have social media accounts.

  • To learn about emoji codes used on social media, visit Emoji Drug Code Decoded at www.dea.gov/onepill