As years go by, the rise and fall of multiple drugs can be seen. Examples are the rise of cocaine in the 80s or the opioid epidemic in the 2000s. As of right now, the most significant trend is the contamination of illegal products with substances such as fentanyl or other synthetic opioids. This increase in fentanyl in illicit products has impacted young adults not just at home, but also in school.
In 2023, Texas passed Senate Bill 629, requiring public school districts to have policies to provide access to opioid overdose-reversal drugs on campuses serving grades six-12. These policies require that Narcan is available and that staff and volunteers are trained in its administration. Just two milligrams of fentanyl which is equal to 10 to 15 grains of table salt is considered a lethal dose. It is safe to assume that this won’t be the last bill passed regarding fentanyl as the rate of overdose deaths involving this lethal drug increased 168% among youth ages 15-24 from 2018 to 2022.
The substances most frequently found to be laced with fentanyl include heroin, cocaine, meth, counterfeit prescription pills and ecstasy. The adulteration of these products might not always be malicious but, it has been found that drug dealers may intentionally mix fentanyl with other substances to increase profits, as it is cheap to produce and may heighten the perceived strength of the drug. Originally, fentanyl was developed and introduced in the 60s and in its early stages it was often used combined with droperidol to help minimize its potential for abuse. Its usage now has strayed far from its purpose as it is now being combined with other substances in a harmful way.
“I have not noticed necessarily an increase in teenagers using drugs, but it has become more accessible,” administrator Mrs. Trevino said. “The only solution I could think of is more education; we need to educate our students on the dangers of these products.”
Vaping cannabis in adolescents increased by sevenfold from 2013 to 2020. These vapes can cause lung damage, addiction, cognitive impairment, mental health problems and an increased risk of cancer. As if these side-effects weren’t harmful enough, these products have been getting laced with other unknown and lethal substances like fentanyl which will only damage its consumers even more.
It is difficult to try and find a solution to this problem as a lot of young adults are seen as trouble-makers for vaping when really they are under a constant cycle of addiction. This unsafe habit may just lead them down the wrong path if they are not educated about the dangers of fentanyl and other unauthorized products.
“Drugs will always be a problem; if it’s not one trending now it’ll be another later,” engineering teacher Mr. King said. “There will never be a solution to kids using drugs. All we need to do is have transparency and honesty on this subject.”
