The CDC reports that fentanyl overdose deaths in teens have tripled in the past two years. Fentanyl is a “potent synthetic opioid drug approved by the FDA for use as an analgesic [pain relief] and anesthetic,” according to the DEA. It is 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin when it is used as an analgesic. This pharmaceutical product is currently available in multiple forms including, Actiq, Fentora, Abstral, Subsys, Lazanda, and Duragesic. However, secretly produced fentanyl can be encountered as tablets and is either sold alone or is used to lace other drugs.

Fentanyl is a highly sensitive drug and when it is used without a prescription, overdosing is common. According to the DEA, overdosing may result in an insensible change in pupillary size, cold and clammy skin, cyanosis (blue discoloration of the skin due to lack of proper oxygenation), becoming comatose, and respiratory failure which can lead to death.

With an uprise of fentanyl usage, the question that arises is why choose fentanyl? Well, fentanyl produces effects such as relaxation, euphoria, pain relief, sedation, drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, pupillary constriction, and more. This attracts people to the drug because in a world full of chaos some people think hard drugs will shut out the world and provide them with some peace even though this is not true. Fentanyl is also highly addictive and people can become addicted even after prescription use.

Senior Bryce May has a personal experience with a friend who turned to drugs.

“I didn’t understand why she did it but I was thinking maybe something in her home life was happening and that’s what it ultimately ended up being,” May said. “She ended up in an institution and she’s doing better now. It was really sad to see my friend go through that.”

Unfortunately, many teenagers are watching their friends and peers struggle with drug abuse now. Young teens access to hard drugs is increasing every year.

“There has been a significant rise in the amount of overdose deaths in which the victims are identified as teens and adolescents,” Resource Officer Jackson said. “Hard drug use is more ubiquitous now than ever before. The potency of today’s drugs are high and that’s becoming the norm. In addition to this, a lot of drugs are now being laced with fentanyl.”

Officer Jackson has personally dealt with teenage hard drug use, including a case he worked on this past March.

“I worked a drug overdose case in which marijuana purchased from the street was laced with fentanyl. The unsuspecting drug user inadvertently overdosed because he was not aware of the additional drug contents laced in his marijuana.”

Teenagers are now able to buy hard drugs off the street from their local drug dealers. It’s incredibly easy to get access to hard drugs and also extremely dangerous. In response to this the Maryland Heights Police Department has implemented a drug diversion program to mainstream drug users into a rehabilitation program opposed to arresting them which would contribute to their criminal record.

“Police are also still using drug task force units to infiltrate drug dealer networks and arrest violators. The Maryland Heights Police Depart has a Community Response Unit that actively seeks to make drug arrests and apprehend drug dealers,” Jackson said.

While the police are implementing programs and maintaining high alert for hard drug users and/or dealers, May believes we, as a school, should implement more therapy sessions for everyone.

That way, “everyone has the opportunity to talk out and express their feelings more,” May said.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, “many individuals who develop substance use disorders are also diagnosed with mental disorders, and vice versa.”

Teens and young adults suppress a lot of things in their day to day lives that they’re not able to approach people they are comfortable with giving them advice and/or help.

May also believes that, “we, as friends, should check up on each other and see how we’re doing throughout the day.”

Having people to go to, to express your feelings and hardships can help with stress, depression, and anxiety immensely. So be the person that your friends and family members can go to help them deal with their emotions so they don’t feel like they have to turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms like drug use. Also reach out to trusted adults and resources if you or someone you know is struggling with drug use or addiction. You can call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)’s national helpline if you’re struggling with substance abuse at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).