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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, roughly
one U.S. overdose death occurs every 5 minutes.

Fentanyl is the leading cause of death for ages 18 to 45.  The synthetic opioid was developed as an analgesic for surgery and cancer patients. Due to its powerful opioid properties, Fentanyl has been at the forefront of the opioid epidemic. Fentanyl is added to heroin to increase its potency or be disguised as highly potent heroin. Many users believe they are purchasing drugs like heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine and don’t know they are buying Fentanyl. 

Fentanyl overdose deaths tripled among teens over the past two years, and 5 times more for Black Teens according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Why does this matter?

In 2021, more than 100,000 people died of an accidental drug overdose in the US, a staggering 28.5% increase from the historically deadly numbers in 2020 and the highest ever on record.  With each death, a family, friends, colleagues, neighbors, and many more grieve the lost of a preventable death. 

Learn more at One Pill Can Kill

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Fentanyl Death under 24 years oldin thousands

Prescription Medication

The drug dealers are in your homes

Experts say 40% of the pills being sold on the street and through Snapchat contain a potentially deadly dose of fentanyl.

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“What is equally troubling is the cartels have harnessed the perfect drug delivery tool – social media,” DEA Administrator Anne Milgram said.

 

With social media apps like Snapchat and Instagram, the DEA says anyone who has a smartphone has access to a drug dealer, and that easy access frightens DEA agents like Rogeana Patterson-King.

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“With them targeting our youth, the way they are being targeted, I just want to scream sometimes because it’s frustrating for us,” Patterson-King said.

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Text between Finale and Forrest, a dealer
she met on Snapchat.

Resources

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Narcan

Narcan nasal spray can quickly reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. It is so powerful that in some states, major pharmacies will provide Narcan without a prescription and at a minimum to no cost. 

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Treatment Referral

SAMHSA’s National Helpline provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders.

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How to talk to your teen about Fentanyl and Narcan

Families that openly talk to their kids about drugs have a lower chance of their kids becoming addicted to substances later on in life.

Behavorial Signs:

• A change in peer group

• Carelessness with grooming

• Decline in academic performance

• Missing classes or skipping school

• Loss of interest in favorite activities

• Changes in eating or sleeping habits

• Deteriorating relationships with family and friends.

Physical Signs:

• Constipation, nausea, vomiting, and dry mouth

• Sleepiness and dizziness

• Confusion

• Decreased breathing

• Itching and sweating.

How can you tell if a loved one is using opioids?

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