What parents and kids need to know about fentanyl

What parents and kids need to know about fentanyl

In August each year National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day is marked in the United States.  Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid typically used to treat people in medical settings. Illicit fentanyl is being manufactured in foreign labs and smuggled into the United States, often through Mexico. Because there is no official oversight of quality control, these counterfeit pills often contain lethal doses of fentanyl. In 2023, more than 70,000 Americans died from overdoses connected to illegally made fentanyl.  Fentanyl is now found in fake pills, many street drugs, and users are often unaware that the drug they bought contains the extremely potent opioid.

As students head back to school, we asked Acting United States Attorney Matt Kirsch what he wants kids and parents to know about fentanyl.

Question: Fentanyl is a difficult topic – what do you think parents should be telling their kids about the drug?

Acting USA Kirsch: I think there are two critical things for parents, young adults, kids, and really anyone to know at this point. First, a very small amount of fentanyl can be lethal.  Second, fentanyl can be in any illicit drugs purchased on the street or provided by a friend.  In Colorado, much of the fentanyl seized looks like oxycodone pills. These drugs are manufactured to be small, blue pills with the same M and 30 markings of an oxycodone.

Question: What would you tell young people that they need to know about fentanyl?

Acting USA Kirsch: I would tell young people to not take any pill that did not come from a doctor or a pharmacist. Do not take random pills from a friend. Many street drugs now contain fentanyl because it’s extremely cheap and easy to produce.

Question: What is the office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Colorado doing to fight fentanyl in our state and communities?

Acting USA Kirsch: Our office is focused on doing everything we can to get fentanyl off the street. We prioritize prosecuting people and organizations who distribute these drugs.