How can schools and parents work together to reduce youth overdose risks?

Youth need to be educated on the dangers of fentanyl, even if they only try one pill one time. Schools and parents should share the following messages with youth:

  • Assume all pills offered to you are fake and contain fentanyl. You can't smell or taste fentanyl. You cannot tell if a pill is fake just by looking at it.
  • Do not take any pill that you do not directly get from a doctor or pharmacist. Pills purchased online or from social media are not safe.
  • Every pill is different - even if one pill seems safe another pill from the same batch may contain fentanyl.
  • The amount of fentanyl in one pill can vary widely. Splitting a pill may not be a safe option because all the fentanyl could be in one half of the pill.
  • If you or someone around you takes an illegal pill, know how to recognize an opioid overdose. Never use illegal pills when you're alone.
  • Provide easy access to naloxone, also known as Narcan®. Narcan® is a drug that reverses the effects of an opioid overdose. Naloxone can be administered as an injection or as a nasal spray.
    • You can get naloxone through:
      • Any pharmacist in Oregon can prescribe naloxone for you.
      • Anyone who can prescribe medication can send a naloxone prescription to your pharmacy.
      • Lincoln County Harm Reduction provides free naloxone 541-270-9069.
      • Confederated Tribes of The Siletz Indians also provides free naloxone, 541-444-9672.


Show All Answers

1. What is fentanyl?
2. Why is fentanyl a threat to youth in Oregon?
3. How can schools and parents work together to reduce youth overdose risks?
4. What should schools do?
5. What should parents do?