In Jackson County, 1 in 5 drug overdose deaths are kids under age 15.³ It’s never too early to talk to your kids about the dangers of drug use, including opioid abuse.

Make sure your kids know the risks of taking prescription pills that aren’t theirs, whether for fun or for self-medication. Let them know that if they’re ever struggling, there are healthy ways to cope + resources like 988 available!

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), more Americans died from fentanyl in 2021 than from cars or guns.⁴

Fentanyl is a cheap but powerful synthetic opiate that black-market drug manufacturers use to cut costs. It can be mixed into other illicit drugs (like cocaine) or passed off as a different prescription pill, such as counterfeit Xanax, oxycodone, or Adderall. Just 2 mg of fentanyl, the equivalent of a few grains of sand, can be lethal.

To protect yourself, only take pills prescribed to you from a pharmacy. Just because a pill came from a friend doesn’t mean that it’s safe. You can’t tell if a pill contains a lethal amount of fentanyl by looking at it.

Free fentanyl test strips are included in our Narcan kits, which are available to pickup at our clinic.

Remember to keep your prescription medications secure.

Did you know most teens get their opioids from a family member or friend?⁵ To prevent your leftover medication from being misused, learn how to dispose of it safely at home or at a site near you.

Jackson County Public Health now offers free Deterra Drug Deactivation & Disposal pouches.

The small, resealable plastic bags contain a water soluble pod of activated charcoal. They work by deactivating medications when used as directed, so medications are then safe to throw away in the household trash.