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Dangers of Fentanyl and Synthetic Drugs

We care about our students and community!

The misuse and abuse of opioids and other drugs, including prescription medication, is a concern across the nation; recently, there has been a rise in the prevalence of synthetic drug use, such as fentanyl, across the United States. 
 
According to the California Department of Public Health (“CDPH”): 
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. It is a major contributor to fatal and nonfatal overdoses in California and the United States.

Illegally manufactured fentanyl can be added to other drugs to make them cheaper, more powerful, and more addictive. Illegal fentanyl has been found in many drugs, including heroin, methamphetamine, counterfeit pills, and cocaine. Fentanyl mixed with any drug increases the likelihood of a fatal overdose.

Fentanyl-laced drugs are extremely dangerous. It is nearly impossible to tell if drugs have been laced with fentanyl without the use of fentanyl test strips because fentanyl cannot be seen, smelled, or tasted. Test strips are inexpensive, typically give results within 5 minutes, and can be the difference between life or death. Even if the test is negative, caution should be taken as test strips might not detect other fentanyl-like drugs, like carfentanil. 

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) found that 2 out of every 5 counterfeit pills with fentanyl contains a potentially lethal dose of fentanyl. The only safe medications are ones prescribed by a trusted medical professional and dispensed by a licensed pharmacist. If you find any pills, do not touch them. Call local law enforcement for removal or take appropriate precautions to dispose of them. 

Signs of an Overdose

If you think someone you know may be using fentanyl or another drug, please take note of the signs of an opioid overdose:

  • Small, constricted “pinpoint pupils”
  • Falling asleep or losing consciousness
  • Slow, weak, or no breathing
  • Choking or gurgling sounds
  • Limp body
  • Cold, clammy and/or discolored skin 

Call 911 immediately if you believe someone is overdosing. If you are concerned someone in your life is at-risk of an overdose, carry the overdose reversal medication naloxone (“Narcan”).

Naloxone (“Narcan”)

Narcan is a nasal spray and the brand-name of naloxone, a life-saving medication used to reverse an opioid overdose. Because of the CDPH’s statewide Naloxone standing order, Narcan can be given out. Public Health staff will provide individuals one box of Narcan and give a brief training for how to respond to an opioid overdose. In an effort to prevent opioid overdose deaths, Kern County Public Health is distributing Narcan to Kern County residents at no cost. BCSD schools currently stock Narcan in case of an emergency. 

Narcan is available at the Kern County Public Health Department located at 1800 Mt. Vernon Avenue in Bakersfield. Staff will train residents in groups of 1-2 people as walk-ins. Training time is about 10-15 minutes. Individuals will be given one box that contains two doses of Narcan as well as educational materials. Narcan is available during clinic hours Monday to Friday. 8:30 am – 4:30 pm. Narcan can also be obtained at your local Kern County Library branch and locations listed here: https://drugfreekern.org/narcan-information/.

NARCAN_Webpage_DigitalInfo_2022 (PDF)

How should I talk to my children about this?

We care about our students and community at Bakersfield City School District. If you have any questions or need assistance with how to discuss this information with your child, we are here to help. You can call your child’s School Nurse or the School Health and Wellness Department at 661-631-5895. Parents and guardians should be prepared, get informed, and have some background knowledge on fentanyl, the fentanyl crisis, and substance use before starting the conversation with their child(ren).

Parents and guardians should use honest language that emphasizes their family values and concerns around drug use. Conversations that are open and consider your child(ren)s understanding and experiences are more effective than lecturing and utilizing scare tactics. Parents and guardians should initiate age-appropriate conversations with their children about substance use. Review the following resources for tips on how to start the conversation:

Additional Resources