How do I talk to my kid about fentanyl?
Teen overdoses are more common than ever, not because more teens are using drugs, but because the drugs are more potent and sometimes contain other, more dangerous substances. Fentanyl is now involved in ~80% of teen overdoses. Try this interactive scenario about fentanyl and equip yourself with the information to help your child make safe and informed choices.
What to do when it’s time to talk to your kid about fentanyl
You’ve heard about fentanyl in your neighborhood. You decide to talk to your daughter about it to keep her safe.
There may be more than one correct answer.
How do you initiate the conversation about fentanyl with your child?
A) “You know to stay away from drugs, right?”
A. [Child says:] “Ugh, yeah, whatever.”
B. [Try Again] If you expect your child to agree with you, they may say “yes” just to avoid an argument. Research shows that telling kids to “just say no” doesn’t work. Information and preparedness are the best precautions against dangerous drug-related situations.
B) “I’ve heard about fentanyl in the neighborhood and I think we should talk about it.”
A. [Child says:] “What’s fentanyl?”
B. [Correct] Think of the conversation as something you invite your child to participate in. You’re not working in opposition to each other; you’re working together toward knowledge.
C) “There’s this drug going around that either kills people or turns them into zombies.”
A. [Child says:] “Is this a movie or is this real?”
B. [Try Again] Avoid substituting opinions for facts or dismissing the people who may be addicted. Fentanyl is an incredibly potent and dangerous pain-relieving drug, and the reality is scary enough without adding sensational commentary that may annoy or alienate your child.
D) “There’s a dangerous drug circulating in our neighborhood that I want you to know about.”
A. [Child says:] “What is it?”
B. [Correct] Think of the conversation as something you invite your child to participate in. You’re not working in opposition to each other; you’re working together toward accurate knowledge.
Child says, “So what is this fentanyl stuff?”
A) “Fentanyl relieves pain when provided by a healthcare professional. But it’s so strong that if used as a drug, a tiny amount can poison or kill you.”
A. [Child says:] “That’s really scary.”
B. [Correct] Fentanyl is 100 times stronger than morphine and 50 times stronger than heroin. Of illegal pills containing fentanyl seized by the Drug Enforcement Administration, 70% of them contained a lethal dose.
B) “It’s poison. If you take it, it kills you.”
A. [Child says:] “It kills you, just like that?”
B. [Try Again] Exaggerating the dangers of fentanyl gives your child an excuse to dismiss what you tell them. Eventually, they’ll realize that what you said was not 100% correct. The real danger of fentanyl is already a sufficient deterrent.
C) “Stay away from drugs, and you won’t have to worry about that.”
A. [Child says:] “Why won’t you just tell me?”
B. [Try Again] Research shows that telling kids to “just say no” doesn’t work. Guilt and shame can push drug users to feel helpless and hide their drug use to avoid judgment. Information and preparedness are the best precautions against dangerous drug-related situations.
D) “Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid, a man-made drug that relieves pain, but it can be very dangerous and addictive.”
A. [Child says:] “Oh wow.”
B. [Correct] Fentanyl is 100 times stronger than morphine and 50 times stronger than heroin. Of illegal pills containing fentanyl seized by the Drug Enforcement Administration, 70% of them contained a lethal dose.
E) “I’m not sure. Let’s do some research and find out.”
A. [Child says:] “I’ll grab my phone.”
B. [Correct] It’s OK to admit you’re not sure. Involve your child and look for information together as a team. A great place to start is: TheNewDrugTalk.org
Why would someone take fentanyl?
A) “The euphoric feeling from misusing fentanyl is addictive, in part because it wears off quickly.”
A. [Child says:] “It doesn’t even last long?”
B. [Correct] Fentanyl is a very strong opioid and can be addictive, in part because its effects wear off quickly.
B) “Sometimes fentanyl is found in counterfeit pills, and people don’t know the pills contain fentanyl.”
A. [Child says:] “Wow, they don’t even know?”
B. [Correct] Cheaply made, illicit, and potentially lethal “fentapills” containing fentanyl are disguised as prescription pills and traded on the streets, in public places, and with strangers online.
C) “Who knows? People do all kinds of stupid things.”
A. [Child says:] “They’re all just stupid?”
B. [Try Again] Avoid blaming or dismissing drug users. If your child thinks only reckless or stupid people could ever get addicted or overdose, they may never consider that they, too, could find themselves in a dangerous drug-related situation.
D) “I’m not sure. Let’s do some research and find out.”
A. [Child says:] “OK, I’ll look online.”
B. [Correct] It’s OK to admit you’re not sure. Involve your child and look for information together as a team. A great place to start is: TheNewDrugTalk.org
Child says, “Relieving pain doesn’t sound dangerous.”
A) “Because it’s so strong, a tiny amount of fentanyl can be lethal.”
A. [Child says:] “That’s crazy.”
B. [Correct] Three grains of fentanyl (similar size to salt) can be lethal. Fentanyl is 100 times stronger than morphine and 50 times stronger than heroin.
B) “A fentanyl overdose can slow your breathing, stop your heart, do permanent brain damage, or even kill you.”
A. [Child says:] “That’s really scary.”
B. [Correct] Fentanyl has legitimate medical uses in hospitals. Without a trained medical professional, it’s extremely difficult to deliver a safe and proper dose that relieves pain without harming the body.
C) “People tend to consider pills to be medicine rather than drugs, thinking it’s safe when it’s not.”
[Child says:] “I guess that makes sense.”
B. [Correct] Taking a pill is more commonplace than snorting or injecting drugs. Many children are accustomed to taking pills for legitimate medical reasons, but a pill containing fentanyl can be lethal.
Tip Sheet: How to talk to your child about fentanyl
Learning how to talk to your child about fentanyl can give you the tools you need to empower your child. Making safe choices often comes from understanding the dangers and risks involved. By openly discussing fentanyl with your child, you provide them with valuable knowledge and strategies to make informed decisions.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that relieves pain. It can be highly addictive, powerful, and potentially lethal. Fentanyl is 100 times stronger than morphine and 50 times stronger than heroin.
Research shows that telling kids to “just say no” doesn’t work. Accurate information and preparedness are the best precautions against dangerous drug-related situations.
It’s OK to admit you’re not sure. Involve your child and look for information together as a team. A great place to start is: TheNewDrugTalk.org
Avoid blaming or dismissing people who use drugs. If your child thinks only reckless or stupid people could ever have a problem with addiction or overdose, they may never consider that they, too, could find themselves in a dangerous drug-related situation.
Cheaply and illicitly made, potentially lethal “fentapills” containing fentanyl are disguised as prescription pills and traded on the streets, in public places, and with strangers online. Of illegal pills containing fentanyl seized by the Drug Enforcement Administration, 70% of them contained a lethal dose.
If your child might be a witness to opioid use, encourage them to acquire, carry, and learn to administer naloxone. It could save someone's life.
