How our Schools are Combating the Fentanyl Crisis
The crisis surrounding the harmful substance fentanyl has gained urgency in recent years. The exponential rise of fentanyl-caused deaths continues from the increase of 30 percent between 2020 and 2021, according to the LA County Coroner's office. The LAUSD and SMMUSD communities are struggling to cope with teen dealing, addiction and death.
Fentanyl is a colorless, odorless opioid that is highly addictive and 50 times more potent than heroin. Since it is a synthetic drug, the cheap and fast nature of its manufacture causes some drug dealers to cut various counterfeit pills and substances with it. According to the CDC, overdoses have become the leading cause of preventable death among ages 18 to 45, and data from the journal "JAMA" states that 77.14 percent of adolescent overdose deaths in 2021 involved fentanyl use. The severity of these statistics has been reflected in recent months among teenage students, as LAPD numbers report seven or more adolescent fentanyl overdoses in the month of Sept. alone. Samo PTA VP Parent and Community Education Gayle Gilman expressed her concerns.
"It's important to raise awareness of fentanyl because it is a major contributor to overdoses in the US. Most people are unaware that their drugs are laced with fentanyl," Gilman said
On Tuesday, Sept. 13, four adolescents overdosed on fentanyl-laced pills at Bernstein High School in LAUSD, resulting in the death of one teen. After two high school boys were arrested for selling the pills that led to the overdoses, the Los Angeles Department of Public Health issued a health alert. Department experts led a town hall on Thursday, Sept. 22, joined by experts from the LA Drug Enforcement Agency and LAUSD Superintendent Alberto Carvalho, to spread awareness about the fentanyl crisis and provide answers for anyone with questions. Additionally, a Student Public Health Ambassador training took place virtually on Nov. 16 for any LA County middle or high school student who wanted to help fight the opioid crisis. The LA Department of Public Health is working on providing similar opportunities, as reported by department representative Luis Renteria.
"We offer workshops to parents and students and are always looking for schools who are interested in contacting us directly to provide such resources," Renteria said.
According to Renteria, the department is working with local schools to educate school communities on the dangers of fentanyl and provide them with resources like testing strips and naloxone doses. Test strips are used to identify fentanyl-laced drugs by submerging the strip in a small amount of the drug supply dissolved in water. They can be purchased online or in locations around LA listed on AIDS Project Los Angeles website. Naloxone, commonly sold as Narcan, is a medicine used to reverse overdoses on opioids. In California, naloxone is readily available in pharmacies with no prior prescription required. Samo's Student Wellness Advisory Group (SWAG Club) and school nurse Erin DeTura are currently working to establish naloxone distribution sites throughout campus.
"We will be providing even more information on this as we secure our plan for education. As of [Nov. 17], I am happy to report we have received stock of 2100 doses of Narcan," DeTura said.
DeTura and the SWAG club also are planning to bring education on both fentanyl and naloxone to Samo students and teachers. If approved by the School Board, lessons may be held as Featured Flex-Times, including training on how to administer naloxone so each student is able to play a part in fighting the fentanyl crisis. Samo Principal Marae Cruce discussed further steps taken by Samo.
"Myself and some of the house principals have been trained on using Narcan, as an immediate step.We are now branching that training out. We're going to be training the entire staff." Cruce said.
Many Santa Monica parents and students are raising awareness on fentanyl within the SMMUSD community. The PTSAs of Samo, JAMS and Lincoln held a parent workshop on Nov. 10 at the JAMS Performing Arts Center, explaining what fentanyl is, how adolescents access drugs and what concerned parents should do for their childrens' safety. To support wellness and knowledge about available resources, the SWAG Club created a slideshow just before Homecoming that presented about the dangers of fentanyl schoolwide. Club members are also aiming to talk to the School Board about harm reduction's place in Samo classes, guided by SWAG Club Advisor and Mental Health Counseling Coordinator Shuli Lotan.
"We feel really strongly that harm reduction is an important part of education. If you know people who use and you have those resources on you, it increases your safety and the safety of those around you," Lotan said.
Fentanyl is particularly dangerous to teenagers. Federal data shows that young adults have the highest rates of illicit drug use of any age group, and CDC data notes that double the amount of teenagers reported mental health disorders after the pandemic compared with before. Adolescents in mental distress may look for a quick and easy way to cope, and the rapid-fire, anonymous exchanges that happen on any social media provide convenient platforms for dealers. As Renteria says, even non-pill substances purchased frequently by teenagers such as marijuana, liquid drugs and vape pens can be laced with lethal amounts of fentanyl. SWAG Club President Jacob Gonzalez (’23) shared how the SWAG Club is trying to help adolescent students with the fentanyl crisis.
"Outreach is our priority. We hope to advocate with the resources we have offered through the school and outside of school… to promote knowledge on how to deal with it safely, to get others help," Gonzalez said.