Risky behavior is inherent in teens and tweens. Risk taking is a necessary part of growing up and learning to be independent. But many of these risks could literally cost them their life.

Using drugs is one of those life endangering activities, especially with more and more illicit fentanyl being introduced into the drug supply by Mexican drug cartels. According to the DEA, these cartels illicitly manufacture the extremely potent, and potentially deadly synthetic opioid in clandestine “laboratories” and smuggle it into the US in the form of powder (for “cutting” into heroin and cocaine) and counterfeit pills. They do this because it’s extremely cheap to make, and very potent so a little bit goes a long way to stretch the other drugs out – and it’s extremely addictive and makes for repeat customers (if they don’t die first).

These counterfeit pills are made with a mixture of fentanyl and other chemicals and manufactured to look like the drugs teenagers gravitate towards (for parties, experimentation, and self-medicating). Fentanyl has been found in fake Adderall, Oxycontin, Percocet, Dilaudid, Xanax, MDMA (molly or ecstasy). And the amount that would fit on the tip of a pencil can be lethal…and has been for way too many.

From 2019 to 2021, deaths from fentanyl overdoses tripled in teenagers. And teens don’t have to look too hard for the deadly pills. Snapchat and other social media platforms are teeming with dealers who seek your kid out and market to them. Please take the time to learn about the danger fentanyl poses to your teen or tween and how to talk to them about it so they will actually hear you.

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