By now, people have heard of the dangers of fentanyl and that overdoses are on the rise. Fentanyl is an extremely potent drug usually used in end-of-life care and situations in which someone is in extreme pain, but it is being put into a staggering number of drugs that are being sold on the street. Fentanyl is so dangerous that even the tiniest amount can be lethal.
Fortunately, Suffolk County is recognizing the risk of this terrible drug and is taking action to educate students on its dangers.
A representative from the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office met with Springs Middle School students recently to tell us how dangerous drugs are.
“Fentanyl is being mixed into everything these days, from cocaine, to oxycodone, to marijuana. I’m actually surprised when I see a drug bust where fentanyl isn’t involved,” the D.A. spokesperson said.
Students watched a video showing comparing how much cocaine it would take to kill a single person and then a small bottle showing “the amount of fentanyl it would take to kill every single student and teacher at Springs and still have enough to kill about 1,000 more.”
Utter silence filled the room.
“This presentation helps show what can happen when people take drugs bought illegally,” said one student, Gabriela Alvarado. “It shows us the deadly consequences of doing drugs, and shows that we shouldn’t trust if we’re offered drugs.”
Hopefully, this alarming message will convince students to never give in and try drugs.
By Adrie Quinn, grade 8