Lately, there has been an uprising with the abuse of Fentanyl. Unfortunately, this is a growing drug epidemic among the youth and young adults. The slogan “One Pill Can Kill” cited by the FDA, is raising awareness to the American public.
Fentanyl isn’t a new drug but the potency of it is very high, risky and can result in death. Data from the dea.gov website shows: In 2022, DEA seized more than 57.9 million fentanyl-lace fake pills and more than 13,400 pounds of fentanyl powder. The 2022 seizures are equivalent to more than 400 million lethal doses of fentanyl. The 2023 fentanyl seizures represent nearly 78.1 million deadly doses. *
Fentanyl is a potent, synthetic opioid (lab made) drug approved by the FDA. It is classified as an analgesic (pain reliever) and an anesthetic. Fentanyl is typically administered during and after surgery by I.V. And most commonly given to ICU (Intensive Care Unit) patients who are critically ill. As well as, used to manage acute or chronic pain, such as cancer. Fentanyl is manufactured in I.V. solution, pill form and transdermal patch.
*According to the CDC, it is up up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. It is a major contributor to fatal and nonfatal overdoses in the U.S. Recently, it has entered some of the schools across the nation. This has alerted the attention of school district administrators, leaders, local government etc. and many are having local meetings to raise awareness. How is such a dangerous drug entering the school system?
There are a few scenarios of how:
1. Imagine if a child is exposed to this from a parent or adult relative who may be using street drugs. Kids are inquisitive and observe almost everything.
2. A child brings some ‘pills’ to school which looks like candy and passes it out to other children.
3. Purchasing items from a local store, especially if in the inner city where there is an increase in drug usage and/or overdoses.
This is available on the ‘black market’ to purchase by llicitly manufactured fentanyl (IMF) and offered in different forms, including liquid and powder. It is commonly mixed with drugs like heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine and made into pills that are made to resemble other prescription opioids. Fentanyl-laced drugs are extremely dangerous, and many people may be unaware that their drugs are laced with fentanyl. In its liquid form, IMF can be found in nasal sprays, eye drops, and dropped onto paper or small candies.
- Apache
- Dance Fever
- Friend
- Goodfellas
- Jackpot
- Murder 8
- Tango & Cash
A Northern Indiana school district has been made aware that, “school age children are being offered edibles or baked sweets infused with Cannabis or other harmful drugs and are bringing these items to and from school. Unfortunately, as a result, our schools are beginning to experience an increase in the number of students consuming edibles on school grounds. Examples of edible products can be baked goods, candies, gummies, chocolates, lozenges, and even beverages that can be homemade or prepared commercially for dispensaries. Some packages are intended to be copycats of popular snacks (see attached page for examples). Watch for the label “THC” on the package. What may look like innocent snacks to the casual observer may be these items that can lead to medical complications or tragedy.
Some of the more adverse effects associated with the consumption of edibles may include: drowsiness, confusion, vomiting, anxiety and panic attacks, agitation, psychotic episodes, hallucinations, paranoia, impaired motor abilities, respiratory depression, and heart problems ranging from irregular heartbeat to heart attack.
We are asking that you please take time to talk with your child(ren) regarding the dangerous consequences if such edibles (drugs) are consumed. In addition, please take time to check backpacks, book bags, and places your child(ren) can hide or store items or vaping materials before they leave for school and upon their return home.
Working together we can prevent emergency room visits and possible tragedies associated with the ingestion of these dangerous substances. You can obtain fast, free, expert help from Poison Control online at www.poison.org or by calling 1-800-222-1222.”
Some of the overdose symptoms include:
- brain damage
- paralysis
- chest pain
- coma
- seizure
- slowed breathing
- bluish lips and bluish complexion
- death
Narcan (narcotic overdose) is given in case of an overdose by a trained medical professional, nurse or paramedic. Call 911 immediately if you suspect or see this type of activity.
This is another planned attack by the enemy. Time in earth has grown evil but as children of God, we are also called to prayer and intercession. Please pray for your children, grandchildren, neighborhood children and our schools. Even if you don’t have children, prayers and intercession are still needed on the altar.
Revelation 12:12 KJV-Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.
Psalm 127:3 KJV- Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.
Act 2:17 KJV- And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.
1Th 5:17 KJV-Pray without ceasing
** 25 minute video
Resources:
https://www.dea.gov/factsheets/fentanyl
https://www.cdc.gov/stopoverdose/fentanyl/index.html
Author
PN
If it’s appropriate, can you expound on the GOOD SAMARITAN LAW regarding the use of naloxone on someone whom they believe may be overdosing? It may help those who hesitate to assist for fear of being sued or prosecuted for unintentional injury or wrongful death.
God bless
According to a recent article by the FDA, they have approved the first over-the-counter Naloxone (Narcan) nasal spray. When it will be available depends on the manufacturer and the price is unknown at this time. As far the Good Samaritan Law, it will depend on which state you reside in. So far my assumption is, this spray is only for adults. Another thought is, due to the amount of overdoses, will people just continue to do even more drugs?
https://www.narcan.com/home
According to the U.S. Government Accountability Office website:
“For example, Good Samaritan laws vary in the types of drug offenses that are exempt from prosecution and whether this immunity takes effect before an individual is arrested or charged, or after these events but before trial.”
Very informative post! Keep sounding the alarm!
Naloxone becomes even more available, see post below from Ohio’s Department of Health https://odh.ohio.gov/know-our-programs/project-dawn/project-dawn-programs
Please contact a Project DAWN program in your county to obtain a naloxone (Narcan) kit and training on how to use it. In addition to the locations listed below, most Project DAWN programs also schedule naloxone training events at different locations in the community.
You can also find naloxone, syringe service programs, and other harm reduction resources near you in Ohio with the Project DAWN Dashboard.
Naloxone is also available by mail. Check out the Naloxone Ohio website where you can order a naloxone kit to be mailed to you.
Every house should have a kit and every family trained in its use.
God bless.
Hi PN – Great Post, VERY IMFORMATIVE! The idea that young kids are bringing baked goods to school laced with drugs just floors me! I was going to go on a rant that people who are purchasing drugs need to take responsibility for taking illegal and illicit drugs. However, these extremely young kids are innocent. How would they know if their brownies, cakes or cookies are laced with drugs? They wouldn’t. I wouldn’t. I’ve never even smoked pot. Was an athlete in high school, college, and as an adult – never wanted to do anything to harm myself. Was shamed several times in my life for not partaking, looked down upon – I can only imagine the pressure in today’s world of kids, teens and young adults. It’s such a mess, our nation. We’ve fallen so incredibly low, I am just saddened and grief-stricken to know that the America I grew up in is gone (70’s, 80’s). The American Dream, the Land of Opportunity – all of this is over – the younger generations will not experience the Promise that Was America.
As always, PN, I so appreciate your posts. This one, in particular, needs to be heeded by parents, grandparents, family members and the general public. God Bless you, Nyisha. May God always watch over you and keep you under the safety of His wing.
Hi LoriQ,
I couldn’t believe it either. Kids have serious peer pressure nowadays. No wonder so many are being home schooled now. When I was in school, it was more about who wore the latest trends, the coolest and best dressed and not drugs.
American values are in the toilet and it really stinks. The best years of my younger adult life was the 90s, before cell phones.
God bless you too! Thank you!
A recently graduated high school student at the Sprint store was relating his recent loss of three friends to heroin overdoses. I was stunned. I asked where in the world they obtain items like heroin, which I though would be difficult to find. He replied he could go down to the street corner, and return in 20 minutes with a gram.
This is just insane and has to stop.
Buying drugs is literally like buying candy now. So very sad!