Over the last few months, multiple cases of opioid overdoses have affected students in Loudoun County. Frequently, Fentanyl has been found in these cases by the LCSO, Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office. It continues to be an ongoing issue and causes harm to people. Fentanyl, a synthetic solid opioid, is usually sold as a powder, put into nasal sprays or eye drops, or disguised as pills that look like other prescriptions. In some instances, other drugs were found to be laced with fentanyl. Don’t receive any drugs of any kind from anyone except a doctor who prescribes drugs. 

According to ABC News, Dr. J. Deanna Wilson, an assistant professor at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, says “more and more young people are experiencing a mental health and substance use crisis. Drug overdoses are now the third leading cause of death for young people.”

The drug epidemic has taken a huge toll, especially on very young people. Most schools now offer counseling and education to prevent more drug related deaths.  A student at Briar Woods says, “with the rapid escalating rise of opioid overdoses across the country, the sad fact is that they can be prevented. In the case of Fentanyl, it only takes a miniscule amount of a pill to severely affect an individual, or even kill. I read online that the Drug Enforcement Administration states that most counterfeit blue pills are made with unknown components that could result in fatal overdoses.” 

In other words, “I am afraid to touch any pills that a doctor has not given to my parents.”