Amid the opioid epidemic, drug prevention and education have become critical. Fentanyl and fentanyl analogs are found in most common street drugs. It’s also common for illegal fentanyl to be made to look like pain medication.

It has never been easier to purchase drugs. Anyone using social media can find profiles selling illegal substances. Unfortunately, drug dealers often target younger people because of how often they use these platforms.

Parents and caregivers play an essential role in educating their kids about online safety, illegal drugs, and fentanyl. Resources like The Parent’s Guide to Fentanyl and local drug education play an important role.

In Rhode Island, fentanyl was involved in 75% of fatal overdose deaths. Men aged 25 to 54 are disproportionately affected. Between 2021 and 2022, the number of overdose deaths has remained unchanged.

Parents and caregivers are the first line of defense, and their conversations with their kids are crucial. Consider some of the following tips when having these conversations:

• Keep conversations frequent and small, rather than one big talk; this helps to build strong communication and trust. These conversations should fit into everyday life, and it’s never too late to start.

• Make your views and rules about legal substances clear; set boundaries. They must have an understanding of the consequences.

• Be a reliable source of factual information; search out the answers together and find accurate data.

• Ask them what they know about fentanyl, listen to their opinions, and answer their questions. The conversation goes both ways. Avoid lecturing, threatening, or using scare tactics.

• Be prepared to share personal experiences. Help them prepare to manage peer pressure, rehearse scenarios and practice what to say when faced with peer pressure.

• Teach them about online safety and using social media safely, such as not giving out personal information.

Having these talks frequently makes it easier to build trust and create an environment where youth can openly discuss what they face when returning to school.

Peer pressure can be challenging to deal with and can lead to fatal outcomes if they begin using illegal drugs without knowing the source. It’s never too late to have these conversations and speak to kids about fentanyl and the increasing risks surrounding recreational drug use.

Marcel Gemme has been helping people struggling with substance use for over 20 years, most recently with the creation of SUPE: Substance Use Prevention Education. His work focuses on a threefold approach: education, prevention, and rehabilitation.