Facts on Fentanyl

What is fentanyl?


Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid typically used to treat patients with chronic severe pain or severe pain following surgery. Under the supervision of a licensed medical professional, fentanyl has a legitimate medical use.

According to the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) website, illicitly manufactured fentanyl is often the ingredient used in counterfeit pills purchased on the street – sold as something else like Xanax, Percocet, or oxycodone. While fentanyl may be present in pills, it can also be found in more commonly used products such as vape cartridges. >> Learn more about the dangers of vaping.

lethal

dea

DSHS

Can you spot the fake?

It only takes one pill... It only takes one time...

which is fake?

Fake oxy

fake xanax

we want you safe

It can happen to anyone!

What you can do

To help fight the fentanyl problem, you can:

  • Talk to your children. Tell them that ANY pill they get from a friend or purchased online or off of the street could be a counterfeit pill containing fentanyl. Only take medication that was prescribed by a doctor, purchased at a pharmacy, and approved by parents or guardians.   

  • Learn about the fentanyl crisis and help spread the word that this is a dangerous situation. Visit the Centers for Disease Control website’s Fentanyl Facts page as a starting-point: https://www.cdc.gov/stopoverdose/fentanyl/index.html)  

  • Ensure that your child delivers all medications, including over-the-counter medications, to the school nurse for distribution. Students should not carry any medications with them at school, nor share them for any reason.   

  • Reach out to your school nurse or counselor with any specific concerns, or if you need additional resources that are unique to your family.

  • Report to LVISD HERE.

  • Substance Abuse Helpline-

    Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline

    1-800-662-HELP (4357) or TTY: 1-800-487-4889. A confidential, free, 24/7, 365 days/year, information service for issues on mental or substance-use disorders.

What LVISD can do

To help fight the fentanyl problem, La Vernia ISD is:

  • Partnering with local law enforcement, emergency management, and health authorities to monitor and collaborate on the best way to combat the crisis. 

  • The district stocks Narcan at all campuses – through the nurses’ offices and school resource officers (SROs) from the La Vernia Police Department. Narcan, administered quickly enough, can help reverse the effects of a fentanyl overdose.

  • District nursing staff, counselors, safety and security team, curriculum and instruction leaders, and our principals and campus leaders will be working on in-school educational opportunities, which may include assemblies, homeroom discussions, posters, or other ways to inform students about fentanyl dangers.

operation prevention

La Vernia ISD is utilizing the Operation Prevention program, “Discover, Connect, and Prevent”, which provides educators with resources about substance abuse for integrating into our classrooms.

Save Lives with Naloxone!

What is naloxone (Narcan)? 

Naloxone is a medicine that rapidly reverses an opioid overdose. It is an antagonist. This means that it attaches to opioid receptors and reverses and blocks the effects of other opioids. Naloxone can quickly restore normal breathing to a person if their breathing has slowed or stopped because of an opioid overdose.- DEA

How is naloxone given?

Naloxone should be given to any person who shows signs of an opioid overdose or when an overdose is suspected. Naloxone can be given as a spray or it can be injected into the muscle, under the skin, or in the veins.- DEA

Narcan is available at all LVISD campuses!

narcan