Twelve Talks to
Have With Teens
Overdose
There is an opioid epidemic in the United States and in Jefferson County.
Any pills, powders or homemade vapes that do not come directly from the store or pharmacy could be contaminated with the synthetic, deadly opioid, fentanyl.
Do not assume your teen is or is not at risk. 7.1% of Jefferson County high schools students report having used a prescription drug not prescribed to them (HKCS 2023). Because fake pills contaminated with fentanyl can look identical to “real” pills, teens may not realize the risk they are taking when they use pills from other people. Often, the person supplying the pill does not know the pill is contaminated
Fentanyl is odorless, tasteless, and cannot be seen. A dose the size of two grains of salt can be fatal. It can be added to any type of:
- Pill
- Liquid
- Vape pod
- Powder
In Jefferson County, 7% of high schoolers report having ever used a prescription drug not prescribed to them (HKCS 2023). Examples of prescription drugs include:
- “Study drugs” including Ritalin®, Adderall®, Concerta®, and Focalin®.
- Anti-anxiety drugs including Xanax® and Klonopin®.
- Prescribed opioid pain relievers, such as Oxycontin, Percocet, and Vicodin, which are often prescribed to teens after tooth extractions or an injury.
This reality is currently more dangerous because counterfeit drugs are made to look like these common prescription medications.
Naloxone can reverse overdose caused by fentanyl or other opioids. Naloxone can be obtained without a prescription from any pharmacy and is simple to use, as shown in this short video.
The most common form of naloxone comes as a nasal spray unit known as Narcan. More information on naloxone can be found here.
While tiny doses of fentanyl can be fatal, overdose can and does happen with a variety of substances. Narcan will not help if an overdose is not from an opioid, but it also will not hurt if you are not sure what someone has had.
Signs of An Overdose
- Won’t wake up
- Slow, weak, or stopped breath
- Choking or gurgling sounds
- Limp body
- Cold, clammy skin
- Bluish or ashen skin or fingernails
Open Ended Questions
Here are some open ended questions you can use to talk to your teen about overdose:
- What have you heard about Narcan (a medicine to stop opioid overdose)?
- What do you know about the Colorado Good Samaritan Law?
- Why do you think people are overdosing in our country?
- What would you do if someone you are with passes out?
- What do you know about fentanyl in Jefferson County?
- What have you heard about teens overdosing in Jefferson County?
- What would stop one of your friends from calling 911 when someone is overdosing?
Video Resources
Over 200 people died of overdose in Jefferson County in 2022. Potentially fatal doses of fentanyl are being found in fake pills and other substances. Avoid pills, powders, homemade vapes or other substances that do not come directly from the pharmacy or store.
If someone will not wake up and an overdose is suspected, immediately call 911. You and the person overdosing will not be charged with use or possession because of the Colorado Good Samaritan Law. The law states that if you call 911 in the event of a friend or loved one overdosing on drugs or alcohol and you stay with the person experiencing overdose, you will not get in trouble – even if you were drinking or taking drugs yourself. The law also protects the person experiencing an overdose. Please note: The Good Samaritan Law does not provide immunity to others who remain present or those with other legal issues.
Video - Fentanyl Overdose in Jefferson County
Video - Recognizing & taking action in case of overdose
Conversation Starters
Discuss drug overdoses with your teen, including recognizing a drug overdose, seeking help, and understanding Colorado’s Good Samaritan Law. The law states that if you call 911 in the event of a friend or loved one overdosing on drugs or alcohol and you stay with the person experiencing overdose, you will not get in trouble – even if you were drinking or taking drugs yourself. The law also protects the person experiencing an overdose. Please note: The Good Samaritan Law does not provide immunity to others who remain present or those with other legal issues.
Send your teen the links to the videos, above. Then, ask them what they think about them.
Ask your teen about hypothetical situations. Depending on your teen, you might ask: What would you do if a person passes out at a party? What if you saw someone who might be overdosing when you were on the light rail? What would you do if you found someone passed out at school?
When you hear about the opioid crisis on TV or the radio, use it as an opening to ask your teen what they think is going on with young people using pain medications or other drugs.
Ask yourself
Does your teen – and their friends – know enough about overdose to be safe? Information for teens on overdoses and how to protect themselves and their friends is available at The Connect Effect.
Are you assuming your teen is or is not vulnerable? Talk with your teen about the risks of taking ANYTHING (pills, liquids, vapes, etc.) that does not come directly from the pharmacy or the store.
- In many cases, the person supplying the pill or vape pod does not know it is contaminated with deadly amounts of fentanyl.
How can you get naloxone (also called Narcan) and have it available in your home? Where can you learn how to use it?
- Naloxone can be obtained without a prescription from any pharmacy and is simple to use, as shown in this short video. Points West at Jefferson County Public Health can get you naloxone for free.
Data included on this page includes:
Healthy Kids Colorado Survey 2023 (HKCS 2023)
Jefferson County Communities That Care Youth Town Hall 2024 (YTH 2024)
