On May 24th of 2022, in Santa Monica, two 15-year-old girls, barely into high school, faced a life-threatening overdose after experiencing the hazardous effects of fentanyl. The incident involving these girls was just one of 12 federal cases filed in the wake of a rise in drug abuse in the past few years (Central District of California). According to the CDC, the count of drug overdose deaths in the United States rose from roughly 50,000 in 2015 to over 100,000 in 2022. Many have tried to explain the perilous trend using a plethora of reasons, such as the Covid-19 Pandemic, mental health issues, family history, etc. While these reasons are plausible, perhaps the most logical one is the increase in the potency of drugs, mainly the synthetic opioid Fentanyl. Because of this, it is important, more than ever, to advocate for better measures, both deterrent and corrective, to resolve this life-threatening dilemma that plagues the American people irrespective of age, background, race, and gender. 

The fentanyl epidemic was initiated in 2013, which was the third wave of opioid overdose deaths in the U.S (CDC). To prevent fentanyl overdoses, it is important to understand the capability behind each milligram of fentanyl. The primary reason why fentanyl is a lethal drug is that only 2 mg can instantly kill a person, which is much lower compared to cocaine and heroin (CDC). Another factor in fentanyl’s fatality is its highly addictive nature; even if one survives an encounter with fentanyl, its addictiveness will force them to continue using and exponentially increase their chances of overdosing. Despite its harmful attributes, most people are inexplicably uneducated on the presence of fentanyl. Because of this, opioid overdoses have increased by over 38% and people continue to use drugs without knowing how close they are to death. Although schools and businesses have begun to address drug use, many drug education programs have been rendered ineffective due to their impractical approach, lack of viable tools, and focus on an abstinence approach to drug usage. Similarly, the government’s approach to drug usage has been too lopsided; much of the government’s attention has been centered around “old-school” drugs, such as cocaine. The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) has helped enlarge the federal budget for drug control to over $39 billion in 2022. Much of the money was allocated towards efforts aimed to implement drug control policies, disrupt drug supply chains, etc. However, the efforts to educate the public on fentanyl, recovery after usage, and the effective resources available have fallen short. As seen, the current status of the nation’s drug education and prevention has proven to be fruitless. Although serious efforts have been made, the nation could benefit profoundly from a shift in the nation’s attitude toward drug prevention and education. 

This paradigm shift will initially originate from an improved drug education program implemented in schools, public institutions, businesses, etc. Besides focusing on abstinence, drug education needs to concentrate on the reality of encountering drugs and the possibility of actual usage. Addressing this situation will better educate the public on how to respond to the external pressure of using drugs and how to prevent them from using drugs again. In addition, increasing the frequency of drug education will help drive the importance of avoiding drugs and highlight its dangers. This new model towards drug approach also involves significant support, both politically and fiscally, from the federal government. This modern approach to drug abuse will also emphasize the notoriety of fentanyl and the danger that it poses for all drug users. In doing so, the public will no longer avoid drugs only because they are addictive, but also because they pose a major possibility of death. This change in attitude is vital as it will be the difference in saving thousands of lives and contributing to a decline in overdoses and drug usage for the first time in years. As a result, due to the possibility of decreasing drug abuse rates and saving lives from fentanyl overdoses, it is imperative that the nation update its approach to drug education and prevention. 

Ultimately, the rise in drugs has labeled drug abuse as a pressing social issue that needs to be resolved. The old American mindset of harmlessly trying drugs is no longer applicable due to the spike in fentanyl. Nowadays, using any drug, even for the first time, poses a substantial threat of death via overdose because of illicit fentanyl. As a result, the nation’s approach to drug education and prevention needs to be remedied as it is heavily regarded as inadequate and lazy. The public must understand that all it takes is one choice, one moment, and one mistake to not wake up the next morning. Fentanyl doesn't just affect the user’s life, however, as it impacts their family and friends. Drugs are not worth the pain and burden that families have to undergo; therefore, addressing the current state of drug education and prevention is integral to the nation and allows people to lead more fulfilling lives.

References:

CDC. “Products - Vital Statistics Rapid Release - Provisional Drug Overdose Data.” CDC, 2019, www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/vsrr/drug-overdose-data.htm.

“Central District of California | 12 New Federal Cases Filed as Law Enforcement Continues Vigorous Response to Deadly Fentanyl Epidemic | United States Department of Justice.” Www.justice.gov, 9 May 2023, www.justice.gov/usao-cdca/pr/12-new-federal-cases-filed-law-enforcement-continues-vigorous-response-deadly-fentanyl. Accessed 13 May 2023.

“Real Drug Education.” Drug Policy Alliance, drugpolicy.org/issues/real-drug-education.

Understanding the Opioid Overdose Epidemic | Opioids | CDC. www.cdc.gov/opioids/basics/epidemic.html.