The number of teens and adults dying from the drug fentanyl is erupting at an alarming rate. Since fentanyl is often found laced into other drugs, such as cocaine and methamphetamine, many die of accidental overdose. Sales of Naloxone, commonly used to block the effects of opiates on the brain and to restore breathing, have also increased by at least 50% from 2020 to 2021 (fiercepharma.com), and sales are expected to climb further in 2022. 

Fentanyl is classified as an opioid, a class of chemicals that can be used to treat pain, and is only available legally through a medical prescription. It is extremely high in its risk of addiction. The drug is so powerful that even minute specks – no larger than a grain of salt – can cause an overdose. 

According to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics (NCDAS) (drugabusestatistics.org), 11.7% of Americans 12 and older use illegal drugs, and 19.4% of people 12 and older have used illegal drugs or misused prescription drugs within the last year. Drug users purchase street-sold drugs like marijuana, heroin, and cocaine, and even alprazolam (widely known as Xanax); all of these drugs have been reported to contain traces of fentanyl.

“The rising use of dealers to cut their drugs with fentanyl saves them a lot of money, makes it stronger, more addictive, and people come back for more,” explained science teacher Jon Zaccaro. “You’re falling into this trap of possibly using something that’s laced that you don’t know about, and that goes for any drug. That’s the problem,” added Zaccaro.

The crux of the issue is the alarmingly high rates of overdose, especially amongst young people. Growing minds, particularly those of adolescents, are prone to making reckless mistakes. Teenagers who use drugs may not be aware that what they are using is laced, often causing fatal consequences. The stress of school, maintaining a steady social life, and the current COVID-19 pandemic all contribute to teenagers turning to drugs.

“I feel like drug abuse does come with a bunch of different factors, like school or home problems,” said junior Ben Svartz. “There are kids who use drugs as a way of coping with the COVID pandemic, or with any problems.”

Social media also contributes to the rise in drug use. Freshman Justin Williams agrees that school and the pandemic are contributing factors, but also feels that social media plays a large role. “Social media use shows people that drug use is okay, or that it’s perceived as cool,” Williams said. “People think they can be like their favorite rapper or influencer [by doing drugs], when in reality it wrecks people.” 

The high rates in overdoses due to fentanyl, particularly in young people, prompt the discussion of drug use and addiction. It is important to be educated about the dangers of drug usage, and not merely at the surface level. Svartz is skeptical about the efficacy of current measures to prevent drug use in adolescents. “[We are told] ‘don’t smoke weed, don’t drink,’ and maybe these sentences will have an impact on some kids, but it may encourage others to do drugs,” said Svartz. 

Williams shared similar feelings about how to correctly encourage young people to learn about drug use, overdoses, and addiction. He believes it should be discussed more openly in the school setting, but not in the conventional way. “I think people that have experienced what drugs can do firsthand should be speaking about it because they show how drugs can actually ruin your life,” Williams said. “You have to see the effects in order to believe them.”