The Importance of Educating Schools and Colleges about Fentanyl

Did you know that according to the National Council for mental wellbeing in 2021, 77% of teen drug overdose deaths were linked to fentanyl? At this point, you must be wondering why their educational institutions did not warn them about the dangers of fentanyl use, abuse, and overdose.

WHAT IS FENTANYL

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine, which has now contributed to a great amount of fatal and nonfatal overdoses in the United States. It is a man-made drug created for pain relief, such as one experienced by a cancer patient or someone about to undergo an important surgery.

Medically it is Administered in Several Ways Including:

WHAT DOES FENTANYL DO TO YOU

1. Pain Relief:

Fentanyl binds to opioid receptors found in the brain and the spinal cord allowing the user to have a reduced perception of pain. They are making it a common medically induced drug in cases of cancers, and other chronic pain disorders.

2. Euphoria:

Using fentanyl gives you a euphoric and relaxing sensation, which is one of the main reasons why it can lead to misuse and addiction.

3. Respiratory Depression:

One of the more dangerous effects of fentanyl consumption is faced by the respiratory system. Fentanyl use leads to shallow and slow breathing leading to low oxygen levels in the body, blood, and the brain.

4. Sedation and Drowsiness:

Fentanyl can make you sleepy, lethargic, and heavily sedated. Moreover, it can impair cognitive and motor functions creating a lack of body coordination and alertness.

5. Gastrointestinal Effects:

Fentanyl can also affect the gastrointestinal system, leading to side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and constipation.

6. Tolerance:

Consistent use or abuse of fentanyl can cause the body to build up a tolerance against it, leading the consumer to take bigger doses to achieve the same level of pain relief or euphoric sensation.

7. Dependence:

Using fentanyl for a long period can cause the body to create a dependence for the drug which is realized only when use is stopped. Severe withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, muscle aches, and insomnia may be experienced.

8. Addiction:

The scariest part about the use of fentanyl is how addicting it can be due to its euphoric and relaxing nature, combined with its tendency to create tolerance and dependence, which can make fentanyl highly addictive. Addiction can lead to rash decisions like consuming copious amounts of a drug in an unsupervised environment leading to overdose.

OVERDOSE SYMPTOMS

1. Unconsciousness:

Due to low oxygen levels combined with the sedation fentanyl overdose can be followed by the person fainting and falling unconscious.

2. Pinpoint Pupils:

Pinpoint pupils also known as miosis is when the pupil of the eye is constricted and appears smaller irrespective of any change in the room’s lighting.

3. Discoloration:

Once again low oxygen levels and decreased blood flow can cause skin on the fingers and lips to become blue or greyish. The skin will also be colder than normal.

4. Weak Pulse:

The pulse may weaken if a person has overdosed because the body will be struggling to maintain normal levels of blood circulation.

5. Cardiac Arrest:

In a worst-case scenario, the overdose will lead to cardiac arrest, which means the heart is unable to sustain the body and stops beating. This will lead to a coma or death unless there is immediate medical intervention.

HOW IS THE YOUNGER GENERATION ACCESSING FENTANYL?

1. Illegal Drug Markets:

Fentanyl is being distributed illegally in combination with other drugs like cocaine, and heroin. It is also being sold in the form of counterfeit prescription pills leading to unfortunate accidents for the innocent consumers who unknowingly buy fentanyl in such a manner.

2. Social networks:

Social media platforms have made it easier than ever to trade drugs like fentalert testing pack direct to consumer kits. Especially for the youngsters who can connect with big suppliers, order the drugs to a safe place, inquire using code-based emojis, and pay online.

3. Social Circle:

Peer pressure causes one addicted youngster to create so many more. The fact that doing drugs is considered “cool” and backing out is seen as a sign of “weakness” creates so much social pressure that teens start experimenting with fentanyl and other all-in-one home drug testing kits USA.

4. Prescription Misuse:

Youngsters can use prescriptions belonging to actual patients in their families to get fentanyl, one prescription can also be used at multiple drug shops and pharmacies. Online pharmacies can also become a target of prescription misuse.

5. Parties:

Teenagers who go to parties, raves, festivals, and concerts are likely to get access to and experiment with fentanyl since drug use at parties is quite prevalent in the newer generation.

6. Pressures and Stress:

The pressures and stressors faced by young people, including academic pressure, social isolation, mental health challenges, and peer influences, may contribute to their susceptibility to drug experimentation, including fentanyl use.

ROLE OF EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS

1.Fentanyl Education Programs:

Kids learn and do what they are taught so the role of educational institutions like schools and colleges cannot be overlooked. Introduction of fentanyl and other drug education programs should provide students with relevant, accurate information regarding the risks associated with fentanyl, its physiological effects, overdose warning signs, and how to get treatment for oneself or others. Age-appropriate instruction adjusted for each grade level will guarantee that kids learn appropriate information at each stage of development.

2. Training for Staff:

 It is essential to provide training for school staff, including teachers, counselors, and administrators, on how to recognize the signs of fentanyl use and overdose, as well as how to respond effectively in emergencies. Staff should be equipped with the knowledge and resources to support students who may be struggling with substance abuse issues and connect them with appropriate treatment and support services.

3. Partnership with Community Organizations:

Educational institutions can partner with local community organizations and law enforcement agencies to further educate students on fentanyl abuse and create awareness and empathy for addicts. This would help foster a society where drug addiction is caught and eliminated at an early stage in the newer generations.

4. Support for At-Risk Students:

Educational institutions should give top priority to providing support to students who might be more vulnerable to fentanyl abuse. These students may include those who have a history of substance abuse, mental health issues, or early life trauma. This could entail providing mentorship programs, support groups, counseling services, and other interventions designed with at-risk populations’ needs in mind.

5. Promoting Naloxone Training and Distribution:

Naloxone is the medication used to treat opioid overdose caused by drugs like oxycodone, heroin, and fentanyl. Educational institutions can create awareness for this medicine, help distribute it to the parents, and teachers, and train them to administer it properly so that the elders are prepared to take action in case of an overdose emergency.

Conclusion

Fentanyl is a highly potent drug that should only be used according to your medical advisor’s prescription. The youngsters of today are our future for a brighter tomorrow and it is our job to save the newer generation from fentanyl and any other type of drug abuse. It requires action to be taken from every sector, department, and institution. Educational institutions have a major role to play by creating awareness among the students as well as their parents about fentanyl, and its symptoms of use, abuse, and overdose.