For Teens & Young Adults
Illegally made fentanyl now dominates the street drug supply, causing record numbers of youth drug deaths in America. We will tell you what you need to know to stay safe.
WHAT TO KNOW
Fentanyl is now involved in more youth drug deaths than any other drug. Learn how the drug landscape has changed in recent years and why drug use, even is more dangerous than ever before.
Fentanyl Basics
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is commonly used in medical settings. But drug traffickers also sell illicitly-made fentanyl all across the US, and it is being found in just about every street drug being sold today.
Healthy Ways to Cope
In a perfect world we could live stress free; but, unfortunately today most teenagers and young adults are experiencing extreme amounts of stress.
The effects of stress are, well, stressful themselves. Unfortunately this creates an endless cycle that teens and young adults aren’t yet ready to handle. We have developed two pathways of healthy coping skills. Skills over Pills and Pharm over Pharma. Click the links before to learn more.
Skill over Pills™
Farm over Pharma™
NEED HELP? Everybody needs help from time to time. If you’re experiencing depression or anxiety, if you’re unable to sleep or enjoy life, or if you’re turning to alcohol or drugs to cope with stress, it’s time to ask for help.
1. MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES Your university’s mental health services
2. THE SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ADMINISTRATION HELPLINE: Call 1-800-662-HELP
3. DOCTOR/THERAPIST Contact a doctor or therapist
4. THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF STRESS
5. NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE Call 1-800-273-8255
An overdose is usually not a dramatic event and recognizing the signs of opioid overdose is essential to saving lives. Call 911 immediately if a person exhibits ANY of the following symptoms (according to CDC):
Pupils
Small, constricted ’pinpoint pupils”
Breath
Slow, shallow breathing
Consciousness
Falling asleep or lack of consciousness
Choking
Choking or gurgling noises
Body
Body goes limp
Skin
Pale, blue, or cold skin
Time is critical when someone is experiencing an opioid overdose. If a person experiencing an overdose stops breathing, they can die within a matter of minutes. If you think someone is overdosing, administer naloxone if you have it, and call 911 immediately. Do not leave the person alone.
NAXOLONE (AKA NARCAN)
Naloxone is an opioid antagonist medication that is used to rapidly reverse an opioid overdose. Narcan can quickly restore breathing to a person who is experiencing an overdose, but has no effect on a person who does not have opioids in their system. How to obtain Naxolone:
Check your local pharmacy/health department
How to Administer Naxolone:
How to Use Narcan
First Aid for Opioid Overdoses Online Course
How to Reverse an Opioid Overdose with Naloxone
Learn how to administer Naloxone
Quickly getting help for a person experiencing an opioid overdose can be a matter of life and death. To encourage people to call for help, almost all states have Good Samaritan Laws in place to protect callers reporting an overdose. Understand the laws in your state, and if ever in doubt, CALL FOR HELP. In the event of an overdose, timely response is critical.