Become Unskippable: Fentanyl Awareness
Fairfax County youth die from fentanyl overdose every year. Learn how to prepare our teens to save a life. Get tips on how to talk with your teen about fentanyl.
Talk with your Teen
Talking with teens about fentanyl is a conversation you can’t skip.
Fentanyl overdose takes the lives of Fairfax County youth every year. That’s why it’s so important to talk with your teen, whether or not you think they’re at risk. You are the number one influence on your child, and what you say can prepare them to save a life. Learn to start talking in a way that makes them more likely to listen.
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Even if it seems like they aren’t paying attention, teens care about your opinion. What you say matters and can positively influence their actions.
Prepare for your Conversations
Discussing tough topics like fentanyl can feel challenging—no matter how close you are with your child. Explain to your teen that it’s important to learn about fentanyl so they know what to do if a friend overdoses. Prepare in advance with the tips below:
Have your conversation in a casual environment that’s free from distractions. Driving in the car, taking a walk, or doing a chore together can all be good opportunities to chat privately where you can be more focused on what each other has to say.
No one likes to be talked at, especially teens. Starting your discussion with open-ended questions can make them more likely to share their thoughts and listen to yours.
Questions to ask:
- Have you heard about drugs being laced with fentanyl?
- Do you know what a fentanyl overdose looks like?
- Do you know how to help a friend who is using pills or powders? You don’t have to share any names. I just want you to be prepared to help.
- Have you heard of naloxone (pronounced: nuh-lock-sown)? What are your thoughts on carrying it?
You never know what uncomfortable truths may be revealed when you ask tough questions. Even if your teen’s responses scare you a little, remember the following:
- Show you care by actively listening and avoiding distractions
- Keep an open mind, and hear your child out
- Praise them for their answers and avoid judging their thoughts or feelings
- Share only fact-based information and avoid exaggerations
After your initial chat, keep the conversation going by having regular, short discussions. Finding a consistent time to talk with your teen—like in the car after school or at the dinner table—can help make this feel less awkward. Continuing to listen lets them know they can come to you if they need help or have questions.
Sample check-in questions:
- Since we last talked, did you have any other questions or thoughts about fentanyl?
- Did you see the latest news story [news title here] about fentanyl? What did you think about it?
- Did you have any more thoughts about carrying naloxone? OR How’s it going carrying naloxone?
- After our discussion, do you feel like you’re prepared to help a friend if they need it?
Share the Facts
Learning about the risks of fentanyl gives teens a better understanding of why they need to be prepared. Share these important facts with your child:
Even half a fentanyl-laced pill can be fatal1
Fentanyl is a dangerously strong synthetic opioid often laced into counterfeit oxys, percs, even cocaine.2–3 Just a few salt-sized grains of fentanyl are enough to cause an overdose.1,4More than half of local street pills contain a deadly dose of fentanyl5
The amount of fentanyl laced in illicit pills has gone up each year for the last several years.6 As of 2023, 7 in 10 counterfeit pills in the U.S. contain enough fentanyl to cause a fatal overdose.7Fentanyl is mixed unevenly into drugs
Similar to chocolate chips in cookies, each pill in a batch can contain a different amount of fentanyl. One person could take a pill and be fine, while another could experience overdose.8–9Fentanyl is usually taken accidentally
Fentanyl is poisoning the drug supply. Many people have no idea they’ve taken it until they overdose because you can’t see, smell, or taste it in pills and powders.10–12Overdose can happen in an instant
When fentanyl hits the bloodstream, overdose can happen in seconds to minutes. In as little as four minutes, the lack of oxygen can lead to brain damage and even death.13
Teach Teens to be Prepared
If you don’t know how to handle a fentanyl overdose, how will your teen? Teach them what to do so they can help save a life.
The signs can be subtle—a person overdosing can look like they’ve just fallen asleep.
Check for these symptoms:
- Unable to wake up
- Slow or no breathing
- Heavy gurgling or snoring sounds
- Blue, gray, or purple skin, lips, or nails
- Cold or clammy skin
If a friend is overdosing, stay calm and get help as fast as possible. Follow these steps:
- Call 911
Emergency response times can differ, so call for help first. Teens who call 911 for an overdose are protected by Virginia's Good Samaritan law. - Give naloxone
Naloxone, pronounced as nuh-lock-sown, is an easy-to-use nasal spray that can reverse overdose. The sooner it’s given, the more likely the person overdosing is to survive. - Start rescue breathing
Give mouth-to-mouth rescue breathing until paramedics arrive. View step-by-step directions.
How to use naloxone
You can’t use naloxone on yourself, but you can carry it to help save a friend. Naloxone is safe to use on anyone—even children. It’s small enough to be carried in a backpack, purse, or pocket. Even if it’s expired, keep it. Using expired naloxone is better than no naloxone at all. Directions for use:
Peel: Peel back the protective packaging
Place: Place the device in their nose
Press: Press down on the plunger to release the medicine
Repeat: Some people need more than one dose—give more if needed
Where to get naloxone
Teens in every part of the U.S. have started keeping naloxone with them as a way to help a friend. Carrying naloxone is a small but powerful action they can take to help save a life.
- How to get naloxone for free
Fairfax County offers free online training about fentanyl and naloxone. After successfully completing it, you are eligible to request free naloxone. Find and sign up for training on the Fairfax County website. You can also find and contact your local health department to see if you are eligible to receive no-cost naloxone. - How to buy naloxone
There are several ways to purchase naloxone. Many pharmacies carry it behind the counter for purchase without a prescription—call the location in advance to confirm cost and availability. You can also ask your teen’s primary physician, who may be able to prescribe it at a lower cost.
Supporting Resources
Fairfax County Public Schools have many ways to support parents on fentanyl and other topics important to teen health.
Fairfax County Public Schools resources:
Virginia and Fairfax County resources:
It Only Takes One: General information about fentanyl in Virginia
Deadly Dose VA: Fentanyl facts and tips tailored to Virginia teens
Our Minds Matter: Student-led movement working towards suicide prevention
These phone numbers can be helpful to have on hand to assist a teen who may be in crisis.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Text or call 988.
Dominion Hospital (Emergency Mental Health Evaluations): 703-538-2872
Sharon Bulova Center for Community Health: 703-573-5679
Sources
1 U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. (n.d.). Facts about fentanyl. https://www.dea.gov/resources/facts-about-fentanyl
2 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, April 2). Fentanyl facts. https://www.cdc.gov/stop-overdose/caring/fentanyl-facts.html
3 U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. (n.d.). Fentanyl. https://www.dea.gov/factsheets/fentanyl
4 Raheemullah, A., & Andruska, N. (2019). Fentanyl analogue overdose: Key lessons in management in the synthetic opioid age. Journal of Opioid Management, 15(5), 428–432. https://doi.org/10.5055/jom.2019.0531
5 U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. (n.d.). Public safety alert: DEA laboratory testing reveals that 6 out of 10 fentanyl-laced fake prescription pills now contain a potentially lethal dose of fentanyl. https://www.dea.gov/alert/dea-laboratory-testing-reveals-6-out-10-fentanyl-laced-fake-prescription-pills-now-contain
6 U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. (2024, May 9). DEA releases 2024 National Drug Threat Assessment. https://www.dea.gov/press-releases/2024/05/09/dea-releases-2024-national-drug-threat-assessment
7 U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. (n.d.). One pill can kill. https://www.dea.gov/onepill
8 Wisconsin Department of Health Services. (2024, May 21). Dose of reality: Get the facts on opioids. https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/opioids/facts.htm
9Northwestern University. (n.d.). Fentanyl overdose prevention. https://www.northwestern.edu/aodresources/harm-reduction/fentanyl-overdose-prevention.html
10 Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. (n.d.). Get informed, stay safe: Fentanyl in Los Angeles County. http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/sapc/docs/public/overdose-prevention/FentanylLACountyGetInformedStaySafeForTeens.pdf
11Rigg, K. K., & Kusiak, E. S. (2023). Perceptions of fentanyl among African Americans who misuse opioids: implications for risk reduction. Harm Reduction Journal, 20(1), 179. 954-023-00915-6">https://doi.org/10.1186/s12954-023-00915-6
12 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, April 2). What you can do to test for fentanyl. https://www.cdc.gov/stop-overdose/safety/index.html
13 Boston University School of Medicine. (n.d.). Overdose education. https://www.bumc.bu.edu/care/research-studies/project-recover/overdose-education
