Someone overdosed from a pill. How do I talk to my child about it?
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. If your child hears about someone – from a cousin to a celebrity – who experiences an overdose, they may feel confused, upset, or betrayed. This is a teachable moment, an opportunity to discuss drugs openly and honestly with your child. Research shows that “just say no” doesn’t work. Try this interactive scenario and equip yourself with the information to help your child make safe and informed choices.
What to do when an overdose occurs in the community.
Your daughter is aware of a man who recently died from a pill overdose. You decide to explain what happened so she can understand and be safe in the future.
There may be more than one correct answer.
You mention the man who had an overdose and ask your child what she knows about it. Child says, “I heard he had an “overdose,” but I don’t know what that means.”
A) “An overdose is when someone takes a dangerous amount of a drug, sometimes without realizing it.”
A. [Child says:] “Drugs can kill someone?”
B. [Correct] Many overdoses are fatal, but not all of them are. If used immediately, Narcan (naloxone) nasal spray can be sprayed into someone’s nose to reverse or reduce the effects of an opioid overdose. An overdose can cause dangerously slow breathing, cardiac arrest, permanent brain damage and/or death.
B) “Just stay away from drugs and you won’t have to worry about it.”
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 overdose.
C) “It’s when someone dies from drugs.”
A. [Child says:] “He just died?”
B. [Try Again] Many overdoses are fatal, but not all of them are. We don’t need to exaggerate the severity of an overdose to dissuade kids from trying drugs. The reality is brutal enough; an overdose can cause dangerously slow breathing, cardiac arrest, permanent brain damage and/or death.
D) “I’m not sure either. Let’s search for information online.”
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
Child says, “Why would he take so many drugs?”
A) “I don’t know. People do all kinds of stupid things.”
A. [Child says:] “What? Don’t talk about him like that!”
B. [Try Again] It’s tempting to dismiss the person who overdosed as stupid or foolish. However, if only fools make mistakes, your child may never consider that they could also find themselves in a tricky and dangerous drug-related situation, until it’s too late.
B) “I’m not sure. Maybe he didn’t realize what it was, or how much he was taking.”
A. [Child says:] “Hmm.”
B. [Correct] While not assuming anything of the person who overdosed, you can gently remind your child of how sneaky and unpredictable illicit drugs can be.
C) “Sometimes people do drugs because they’re bored, stressed, or because they want to seem cool. A drug addiction may mean he wasn’t able to control his use.”
A. [Child says:] “Yeah, I guess so.”
B. [Correct] Without judging, you can remind your child of times when they felt bored, stressed, etc. and the risks of making a poor choice in those circumstances.
D) “Addiction can make people lose sight of what is important in life.”
A. [Child says:] “That’s really scary.”
B. [Correct] By focusing on the effects of drugs and addiction, and not trying to blame anyone, you offer your child insight into a situation they want to avoid.
Child says, “Child says, “Obviously he took too much. If I don’t take that much, I’ll be fine.”
A) “The drug responsible for the most overdoses right now is called fentanyl. It’s so strong, taking three grains of sand’s worth can be fatal.”
A. [Child says:] “Really? That’s crazy!”
B. [Correct] Fentanyl is about 100 times stronger than morphine and 50 times stronger than heroin. Of illegal pills containing fentanyl seized by the DEA, 70% of them contained a lethal dose.
B) “Do you think you know better than he did?”
A. [Child says:] “Maybe I do!”
B. [Try Again] Challenging your child directly will likely push them to defend their opinion and assert their autonomy.
C) “Drugs are not always what people tell you they are. It could be stronger than they say, or it could contain a completely different drug.”
A. [Child says:] “That’s really scary.”
B. [Correct] Cheaply and illicitly made, potentially lethal “fentapills” containing fentanyl are often disguised as prescription pills. If it didn’t come from a pharmacist, it wasn’t measured properly in a lab, and the drug’s strength could be lethal.
D) “I experimented with drugs when I was young, and I wish I had more information then to make different choices.”
A. [Child says:] “Really? I didn’t know that. What happened?”
B. [Correct] If you are comfortable sharing your own experience, it can open conversation and break down barriers. Be warned, however, that your child may ask you for more information than you want to share. Consider your boundaries first.
Child says, “What if I only take prescription pills and over-the-counter drugs?”
A) “As long as it’s over-the-counter or looks like a prescription pill, it’s safe.”
A. [Child says:] “Oh, cool.”
B. [Try Again] 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. To be safe, only take medications that are prescribed to you by a healthcare professional, and only take over-the-counter medications when necessary, and follow the dosage instructions closely.
B) “Medication you get from a pharmacy is safe, as long as it’s intended for you, and you follow the directions and recommended dosage.”
A. [Child says:] “That’s a relief.”
B. [Correct] Drugs can be powerful, for good or bad. Taken for legitimate reasons in recommended dosage, there is little risk. If you have any concerns about long-term side effects of prescription pills, consult a healthcare professional.
C) “When we talk about dangerous drugs and overdoses, we’re talking about illegal drugs, like cocaine or heroin.”
A. [Child says:] “That’s a relief.”
B. [Try Again] Prescription medicine can cause major health problems if taken by someone who it’s not intended for, or when taken in large doses. 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.
D) “I’m not sure. Let’s check with your healthcare professional about what drugs are safe for you to take.”
A. [Child says:] “OK, sure.”
B. [Correct] It’s OK to admit you’re not sure about something. When in doubt, consult a healthcare professional, who can tell you what is safe and what isn’t. Involve your child and search for information as a team.
Child says, “I can’t believe he would do all those drugs and abandon me.”
A) “I’m sure it was never his intention to abandon you.”
A. [Child says:] “Yeah, I guess.”
B. [Correct] If your child feels abandoned, it’s wise to address those feelings. Grieving someone’s death does not excuse or justify the mistakes that led to it. If your child needs to grieve, allow them time to do that.
B) “Making a bad decision doesn’t mean he was a bad person.”
A. [Child says:] “Yeah, I guess so.”
B. [Correct] Your child will make mistakes in the future, and if they know you don’t dismiss people for their mistakes, they will be more willing to be honest and ask you for help when they mess up.
C) “You should forget about him.”
A. [Child says:] “I don’t think I can do that.”
B. [Try Again] It’s natural to be upset when someone does something reckless – or dies – regardless of the circumstances. Grieving someone’s death does not excuse or justify the mistakes that led to it. If your child needs to grieve, allow them time to do that.
D) “He knew the risks and got what he deserved.”
A. [Child says:] “That’s just cruel.”
B. [Try Again] Many people who overdose didn’t realize how much they were taking, or what other drugs were mixed in. Villainizing the person who overdosed may cause your child never to consider that they may also find themselves in a tricky and dangerous drug-related situation until it’s too late.
Tip sheet: How to talk to your child about an overdose
Learning how to talk to your child about an overdose helps protect your child by allowing them to understand what has happened and make different choices in their own life. Overdoses can be frightening for your child whether or not your child personally knows the person who overdosed.
An overdose is when someone takes a dangerous amount of a drug, sometimes unintentionally. Overdoses can cause dangerously slow breathing, cardiac arrest, permanent brain damage and/or death.
If used immediately, Narcan (naloxone) nasal spray can be sprayed into someone’s nose to reverse or reduce the effects of an opioid overdose. Opioids are a class of medicines that relieve pain, though sometimes people use them to feel extra good or high.
Avoid blaming or dismissing the person who overdosed. If your child thinks only reckless or stupid people could ever overdose, they may never consider that they, too, could find themselves in a dangerous drug-related situation.
Grieving someone’s death does not excuse or justify the mistakes that led to it. If your child needs to grieve, allow them time to do that.
Fentanyl is about 100 times stronger than morphine and 50 times stronger than heroin. Three grains of fentanyl (which fit on the tip of a pencil) can cause an overdose. In 2021, fentanyl was involved in 77% of teen overdose deaths.
Cheaply and illicitly made, potentially lethal “fentapills” are disguised as prescription pills and sold on streets, in public places, and even to strangers online. The spread and incorporation of illicit fentanyl into other drugs has made teen overdoses more common than ever.
