![Talking With Teens About Illicit Fentanyl and Fentapills Talking With Teens About Illicit Fentanyl and Fentapills](https://odfree.org/wp-content/uploads/title-talking-teens-fentanyl-.png)
Sometimes it can be hard for parents and teens to communicate – but with drug overdoses more common than ever before, it’s never been more important for teens to be armed with information. Knowledge is power, so follow these tips to start a dialogue with your teen about deadly drugs like illicit fentanyl.
![Emoji Did You Know](https://odfree.org/wp-content/uploads/Emoji-Did-You-Know.png)
Drug users and dealers use EMOJIS to communicate in code. Click here to read the DEA’s PDF about these emojis and illicit drugs.
Make it a conversation.
- Telling teens not to do drugs is NOT the way to go.
- Teens that are most at risk may just tune out this warning if they feel like they’re being judged.
- Listen instead of sharing your own opinion.
- Be empathetic and supportive.
- Stick to the facts and life-saving tips.
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Explain the reality.
- Impress upon teens that illicit fentanyl isn’t a distant danger — it’s hurting our community, and they are very much at risk. The idea that “only people who get drugs from random people overdose” is completely false. Fentanyl can act as a poison on the human body.
- It is nearly impossible to tell a legitimate prescription medication from a fentapill (a counterfeit or FAKE & illicit fentanyl pill).
- 40% of illicit fentanyl pills contain a deadly dose of fentanyl.
Be clear about the risks.
- Illicit fentanyl is tasteless, odorless, and too small to see. In fact, an amount about the size of two grains of salt can be lethal.
- Dispel the myth of a “safe” source: Substances are laced with illicit fentanyl long before they reach the friends, dealers, and friends-of-friends that teens trust to supply them.
- Illicit fentanyl can be anywhere; it has been distributed in pills, powders, and marijuana.
- While one pill might not be deadly, another one could be. One Pill Can Kill!
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Help them find naloxone – an emergency OD treatment.
- Naloxone can reverse an opioid overdose.
- The teens around you may already know what naloxone is, but they may not carry it yet.
- Let teens know that naloxone is legal for ALL ages.
- They can get access to naloxone privately through a pharmacy without a prescription from a doctor.
Stress the importance of looking out for one another.
- When someone’s overdosing, they can’t give themselves naloxone.
- By always carrying naloxone, letting others know they have it, and accompanying friends as they use, teens can decrease the chances of a friend suffering a fatal overdose.
Teach them that it’s okay to seek help.
- Naloxone reverses overdoses, but it’s not the ONLY medical attention someone will need.
- Impress upon teens the importance of calling 911 before administering naloxone, to allow time for professional medical attention to be sought.
- Remind teens of the Good Samaritan law: If you seek medical assistance in a drug-related overdose, you and the victim cannot be prosecuted for drug possession.
Keep the door open.
- Let teens know that you are available if they have questions.
- Encourage them to visit ODfree.org to learn more about opioid overdoses, illicit fentanyl, and naloxone.
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