As you get ready for a new school year with some back-to-school shopping, preparing your backpack and supplies, and choosing your classes, it’s important to also prepare by informing yourself about some of the dangers you might encounter.
If you haven’t heard, fentanyl, a dangerous synthetic opioid that is 100 times stronger than morphine, is affecting our community, and even killing youth just like you. It is often taken unknowingly via counterfeit pills or other drugs sold on social media. Even fake, everyday medications like Tylenol and Ritalin are being laced with fentanyl. Experimenting is common among young people, but with fentanyl, just one choice could be lethal!
The back-to-school season is exciting for some and nerve-wracking for others. You might be starting your journey in middle school, high school, or starting over at a new school altogether. All these circumstances and more can lead you to be in a situation where you feel the pressure to engage in risky behavior to fit in. You may find yourself hanging out with old or new friends who have pills or other drugs, claiming they will help relieve anxiety or help you become part of the popular crowd – don't be a victim!
Instead, be prepared with ways to respond in these situations. You can learn how to deal with peer pressure, like having a friend that you know will stand with you and being prepared to walk away. If you or someone you care about needs help, there are resources available like the Mobile Crisis Response Team for Youth and Families or the National Substance Use Hotline. You can also learn safe practices, harm reduction methods, and ways to respond in the event of an overdose or drug-related emergency. Visit the Don’t Risk it All with Fentanyl resource page to find this information and more.
If you would like to spread the word about the dangers of fentanyl, visit www.DontRiskitAllwithFentanyl.com/toolkit to view and download social media posts and videos you can share with your friends, peers, and family.
Learn all you can, share what you learn, and together, we can save lives!
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