Protect Kids
from Fentanyl

FAQs

• 1 What is Natural High’s youth drug prevention program?

  Natural High is a youth drug prevention nonprofit. We offer a variety of videos and tools that are used to support parents and educators in their efforts to prevent drug use. The Natural High program has three easy steps to implementation: 1. Watch one of our 40+ engaging influencer (we call them "Storytellers") videos with kids. 2. Discuss as a class or family using our discussion guides to facilitate a thoughtful conversation. 3. Go deeper with an engaging activity. Each video has specific activities tied to the story that naturally follow the discussion. Our content is all aligned to Common Core and National Health Educator Standards.

• 2 What is fentanyl?

  Fentanyl is a potent prescription synthetic opioid drug approved by the FDA for pain relief and anesthetic. Prescription opioids are powerful drugs with a high risk for dependency. Fentanyl is 80-100 times stronger than morphine. A lethal dose of fentanyl is the size of 2 grains of salt.

• 3 Why should I be more concerned about fentanyl than other substances?

  While you should be concerned about all youth substance use, fentanyl is different because it's so deadly. According to data from the CDC, in 2020 there was a 560% increase in overdose deaths fueled by fentanyl. In the illicit drug market, fentanyl is being mixed with other drugs, such as cocaine, oxycodone, and Adderall. Criminal drug networks are flooding the market with fake pills and other drugs laced with fentanyl. Kids aren't intentionally looking for fentanyl, and they're unaware it's been added to the substances they're seeking. As a result, kids are being poisoned by fentanyl at a staggering rate. 

• 4 How are kids getting fentanyl?

  Fake prescription pills and other illicit substances are easily accessible and often sold on social media and e-commerce platforms making them available to anyone with a smartphone, including minors. Those at risk include casual users, partygoers, experimenters, regular users, and even unsuspecting bystanders who may come into contact with the powerful opioid. 

• 5 How can I prevent fentanyl use?

  Education is a key part of helping today’s youth make healthy choices. They need accurate information from trusted sources. That’s why your role is so crucial when it comes to the fentanyl crisis. Neither kids today nor their parents are aware of the growing dangers of fentanyl poisoning. Research has shown that kids who have opportunities to discuss the harms of drug use with caring adults fare much better. So, we encourage you to both watch the film together and have a discussion using the questions we created in the Natural High Fentanyl Toolkit. Even if substance use is the last thing you need to worry about with your kid or your students, perhaps their awareness could save a friend.

• 6 What are fake prescription pills?

  Counterfeit pills are fake medications that have different ingredients than the actual medication and sold as the real thing. Fake pills have a 70% chance of being laced with a lethal amounts of fentanyl. These counterfeit pills, also known as “fentapills”, are driving the significant increase in youth overdose deaths. Fentapills are made to look just like prescription drugs such as oxycodone (Oxycontin®, Percocet®), hydrocodone (Vicodin®), and alprazolam (Xanax®); or stimulants like amphetamines (Adderall®). Fake prescription pills are easily accessible and often sold on social media.

• 7 is there a way to tell if fentanyl has been mixed into a pill or powder?

  No one can tell if fentanyl has been mixed into a pill or powder just by looking at it. If a pill is not from a doctor or pharmacy, there's a 70% chance it contains a lethal does of fentanyl. The best way to stay safe is to avoid illegal substances and avoid any pills if they're not prescribed specifically to you.

• 8 What are the signs of a fentanyl overdose?

  Recognizing the signs of a fentanyl overdose is crucial for timely intervention and potentially saving a life. Here are the primary signs and symptoms of a fentanyl overdose:

  - Extreme drowsiness or unresponsiveness: The individual may be difficult to wake up or may not respond to external stimuli.
  - Slow or erratic breathing: Breathing may be shallow, slow, or completely stopped.
  - Pinpoint pupils: Pupils may become extremely small, even in low light.
  - Cold and clammy skin: The skin may feel cold to the touch and appear pale or bluish, particularly around the lips and fingernails.
  - Weak pulse: The person's pulse may be weak, slow, or irregular.
  - Limp body: The body may become limp and floppy.
  - Choking or gurgling sounds: The person may make unusual sounds that indicate difficulty breathing, sometimes referred to as a "death rattle."

  If you suspect someone is experiencing a fentanyl overdose, it's critical to seek emergency medical help immediately by calling 911.

  Additionally, administering naloxone (Narcan), if available, can reverse the effects of a fentanyl overdose and buy time until professional medical help arrives.

  For further information and resources on preventing fentanyl use and encouraging positive choices among young people, check out Natural High's program and educational resources​​​​.