Fentanyl is a highly potent and highly addictive synthetic opioid. A synthetic opioid is manmade and it is not made from cultivating poppy plants. In comparison, heroin is a natural opioid made from morphine, which created from the opium poppy seed. Prescription opioids can be prescribed to treat moderate to severe pain. There are two types of fentanyl which are called pharmaceutical fentanyl and illicitly-manufactured fentanyl (IMF). Pharmaceutical fentanyl has been used for decades in medicine as anesthesia in operating rooms and as a prescription medication for various types of pain. IMF is produced in laboratories and can be made near chemicals and distributed through illicit drug markets. Likewise, the dangers of IMF are increased due to ability to easily manufacture and less costly to make than heroin alone. Additionally, fentanyl is mixed with other substances to increase the potency. A small amount of fentanyl, as little a 2 milligram, is lethal (Connecticut Prevention Network, 2023).
Additionally, fentanyl can produce feelings of euphoria, a feeling of being “high”, relaxation, sedation, and increases the risk of addiction and substance abuse (Children’s Hospital of Orange County, 2022). Fentanyl is a short acting drug which increases risk for addition. Fentanyl acts similar to other opioids when it comes to interacting with opioid receptors in the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). It prevents the brain from receiving pain messages (Children’s Hospital of Orange County, 2022). One of the most dangerous side effects to fentanyl is respiratory depression due to the opioids blocking the ability of the brain to remember how to breathe and can cause a quick death (Children’s Hospital of Orange County, 2022). Fentanyl can have short-term and long-term impacts on the brain especially youth.
Development of substance use disorders in youth can occur due to interactions between an individual’s social environment (external), biological processes (internal), genetics (internal), and engaging in risk and impulsive behavior (a combination) (Manuel, 2023). Exposure and experimentation of drug use can impact areas of the brain associated with emotional responses, reward systems, executive functioning judgement, decision-making, youth’s ability to regulate emotions, cravings, and impulsivity (Manuel, 2023). Fentanyl usage is also associated with increased risk of criminal justice involvement, and academic underachievement (Manuel, 2023).
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There are physical and mental short and long-term consequences to fentanyl use for youth. Short-term mental impacts include extreme happiness, dizziness, confusion, loss of consciousness (DFK Canada, 2024). Physical short-term effects can include drowsiness, respiratory depression (slowed breathing), nausea and vomiting, smaller pupils, itching/ warm sensation on the skin, constipation, and sedation (DFK Canada, 2024). Long-term fentanyl use can lead to developing substance use disorders, increased risk for suicide and depression, and difficulty in controlling impulsive behavior (DFK Canada, 2024). Some warning signs to look out for regarding fentanyl misuse include: withdrawal from activities they enjoy, drop in grades, isolation from friends and family, spending time with “new” friends, having noticeably less money, asking for money frequently, and stealing (DFK Canada, 2024).
Parents who are looking for tips on how to talk to their children about fentanyl can find a guide here: https://www.naturalhigh.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Fentanyl-1-Pager-Info-Sheet.pdf
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Some suggestions for parents about talking with their children about the dangers of fentanyl include:
- Honesty- Advocate towards making smart choices and the risks about engaging in risky decision-making
- Boundaries- Be clear and consistent with family rules and guidelines.
- Listen- Actively listen to what they have to say, respect their opinions, and don’t be judgmental if they do feel comfortable to talk
- Encouragement- Promote positive healthy relationships and friendships and to find other things that may interest them
- Education- Provide education about what makes fentanyl dangerous in comparison to other drugs and why at certain ages it will impact the body more, such as in adolescence.
- Safe space- Try to provide a safe environment for your children to ask questions and correct facts if they’re wrong.
- Help them learn- Provide a safe space for them to be able to learn the facts without fear of judgement or punishment
- Stay educated- Stay up-to-date with current trends regarding fentanyl usage and statistics about patterns currently happening: https://www.addicted.org/supe/...
References: Children’s Hospital of Orange County. (2022, February 11). What parents should know about fentanyl - choc - children’s Health Hub. What Parents Should Know About Fentanyl. https://health.choc.org/what-parents-should-know-about-fentanyl/
Connecticut Prevention Network. (2023). Dangers of fentanyl: Learn about the risks. You Think You Know. https://www.youthinkyouknowct.org/fentanyl
DFK Canada. (2024). Tips For Parents- Drug-Free Kids. Drug Free Kids Canada. https://www.drugfreekidscanada.org/talk/tips-for-parents/
Manuel, J. (2023). Enhancing understanding of adolescent health and well-being: The health behavior in school-aged Children Study - Journal of Adolescent Health. Factors Associated with Indirect Exposure to and Knowledge of Fentanyl Among Youth. https://www.jahonline.org/article/S1054-139X(20)30129-4/fulltext
