Back to School: Keeping Students Safe from Counterfeit Pills
It is that time of year again! Students are flooding back into classrooms and our commutes are being interrupted waiting for the bus to pull their stop sign back in. As our students get back into the day to day routine of homework and after-school events they may be looking for ways to get ahead and stay on top of everything they have going on. Some students turn to Adderall for help. Adderall is most commonly used as treatment for symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but is also used by some students who falsely believe that Adderall and other ADHD medications will help them do better in school by increasing their focus and reading comprehension skills. Students who are looking for Adderall may buy counterfeit pills. Unfortunately, they are not aware that these counterfeit pills could contain fentanyl.
Fentanyl is often added to other drugs to increase their potency and effects, and is impossible to detect because it cannot be seen, tasted, or smelled. Two Ohio State students tragically died of an overdose from counterfeit Adderall that was laced with a lethal amount of fentanyl. Adderall is not the only pill that is being counterfeited. Other commonly counterfeited pills include Oxycontin, Vicodin, and Xanax. Cases like this are unfortunate and tragic, but there are steps you can take to help keep your child safe.
Communication with the student in your life is key. Talk to them about the dangers of using drugs, and ask them what they need help with to successfully make it through the school year. You can also work with their school to locate resources to help them with studying and homework if they are struggling. These conversations are not always easy, but they make a big impact on youth and the community as a whole. Fentanyl is wreaking havoc in communities across the U.S., and a great tool you can use to fight the spread is to talk about it and bring awareness to the dangers of fentanyl and counterfeit pills. School should be about learning and fun, and with this information, as well as the information listed below, you can be more prepared to make this school year safer and more fun for all students.
Additional Information
Adderall Does Not Improve School Performance in College Students Without ADHD
CDC: Fentanyl Facts
Ohio State Warns of Fake Adderall Pills After Two Students Die
What is 'rainbow fentanyl?' Nationwide, officials report 'deadly' colorful pills, powder (USA Today) |
