Fentanyl deaths are trending downward across the U.S., a sign of progress in the country’s overdose crisis. But fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid, remains the leading cause of overdose deaths nationwide, and young people continue to face significant risks.
Among youth ages 10 to 19, 75 percent of overdose deaths involve fentanyl. Because fentanyl is often mixed into other drugs or pressed into counterfeit pills, many teens may not know they are consuming it.
Advocates say access to accurate information and evidence-based education can help prevent deaths by teaching young people how to recognize fentanyl and respond to an overdose.
The wider availability of naloxone (Narcan), which can reverse an opioid overdose, has also contributed to declining overdose deaths nationwide. In Pennsylvania, DEA officials recently reported fentanyl deaths are decreasing as well.
To understand how one parent-led effort is bringing Narcan training into high schools, Public Good News spoke with Nick Redondo III, Pennsylvania State Director at Fentanyl Fathers, who lost his son to a fentanyl overdose. Here are three takeaways for health workers, CBOs, and schools working with youth.
Denial is the first barrier
No matter where a school, community organization, or health clinic is located, young people everywhere are vulnerable to fentanyl exposure.
“A lot of the barriers that I see is there’s a lot of administrators in schools that think like, ‘Oh, we don’t have that problem, you know,’” said Redondo. “They need to understand that it’s everywhere.”
The rise of social media has also changed how young people encounter fentanyl. A Penn State policy brief notes that the anonymity of social media platforms has made it easier for sellers to advertise and sell fentanyl and other substances directly to teens.
“What I tell parents is if you see your child’s behavior changing, and he’s not the same kid… you know, sometimes you can chalk that up to maybe becoming a teenager trying to find themselves, but you got to be careful,” Redondo said. “Don’t be afraid to talk to your kids about it. Even when they’re little, let them know they can talk to you. It’s so vitally important that you establish your rapport with your kids, because if you don’t do it when they’re little, you’re certainly not going to do it when they’re older.”
Teens are often unknowing users
Because illegally made fentanyl is often mixed with other drugs or into counterfeit pills, many young people may unknowingly consume it while experimenting.
For many young people, the risk isn’t just using it, it’s knowing what they’re taking.
Schools and community-based organizations can support youth by providing drug education that builds understanding while creating space for questions.
Resources like Stanford REACH Lab’s Aware & Prepare Opioid and Fentanyl Overdose Prevention curriculum are available to anyone working with youth.
Narcan training saves lives and belongs in schools
One of the key messages Redondo shares during school presentations is that overdoses are preventable. Naloxone can reverse an opioid overdose within minutes, and bystanders can administer it.
“We educate them on how opioids work, what they do, and what an overdose is,” Redondo said. “First thing you do is you try to shake them and get their attention. If they don’t respond, next thing you do is you call 911… and then, we talk about Narcan.”
Advocates say these skills should not be limited to medical professionals. In Pennsylvania, schools and community organizations can request naloxone and drug-checking strips at no cost through the state’s Overdose Prevention Program.
This article was supported by Life Unites Us, a health campaign that receives funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs. Public Good News retains full editorial control over its reporting.