I was in my college dorm room when I read the text, "Did you hear about Luke?" And judging by the title of this blog post, you might be able to guess. Overdose. Found in his bedroom on the floor. His father did CPR. His mother called 911. He didn't wake up to see the panic in his parents' eyes. He never woke up at all.
I'm sure that most of you think of someone you know with that same chilling story. And the saddest part is that the number of people this happens to has almost doubled since 2016 (when Luke died). But Luke Ronnei died from a heroin overdose. And while the rates of heroin overdoses have gone down significantly—which is great—how have opioid overdose rates doubled while drugs like heroin and benzodiazepine abuse are decreasing?
That is mainly due to one drug. A drug that most people don’t even know they are ingesting. And drug is a kind word to give it—poison would be more accurate.
We are talking about fentanyl.
What Should Teens Know About Fentanyl
When talking to teens about fentanyl, it’s important to first focus on the facts. (All of this is found in LifeFluent's FREE lesson HERE) Here are the most important things teens need to know:
Fentanyl is colorless and odorless and can be found in many drugs, including counterfeit pills, cocaine, and methamphetamine.
According to the DEA, just two milligrams of fentanyl can be lethal, and 42% of pills tested for fentanyl contained at least 2 mg—enough to be potentially deadly.
There are ways to test for fentanyl in drugs, BUT these tests are not always reliable because fentanyl may be concentrated in different parts of a pill or in only some pills within a batch.
Fentanyl slows the body down to the point where breathing stops. This is an overdose. Some people can die instantly, while others can be revived if Narcan (naloxone) is administered quickly.
Narcan is an over-the-counter nasal spray that can reverse an opioid overdose if used in time.
Anyone choosing to take drugs outside of a doctor’s prescription should never use alone and should have Narcan and fentanyl test strips. However, even with these precautions, there is no guarantee of safety.
Effective Ways to Talk to Teens about Fentanyl: Lead With Facts, NOT Fear
We lose credibility with teens if we jump straight into worst-case scenarios. Think about it—if you start the conversation with “Don’t take pills from people because they might have fentanyl, and it could kill you,” most teens will immediately tune out and think, “That won’t happen to me.” They’ll picture all the people they know who use drugs and seem fine. In some cases, scare tactics can even increase curiosity instead of preventing use.
Instead of “It could kill you,” ask:“How much fentanyl do you think it takes to kill someone?”
This sparks curiosity instead of triggering the classic teen eye-roll. It turns the conversation into a discussion rather than a lecture.
The Salt Exercise: A Visual Wake-Up Call
Put two tablespoons of salt on a napkin at each group’s desk (groups of three or four).
Ask them to guess how much “fentanyl” (using salt as a stand-in) would be enough to kill someone.
When I reveal that just two to six grains of salt could be a lethal dose, students are shocked—and way more engaged than if I had just told them.
Shifting from “I’m telling you what to do” to “Here’s some real info—what do you think?” makes teens more open to learning. Nobody likes being told what to do, but everyone wants to feel like they’re making their own choices.
After grabbing their attention, layer in the facts (like the ones I shared earlier) while keeping the delivery neutral and non-judgmental. Let the emotional and personal impact come naturally later in the discussion.
Also Important: Harm Reduction Strategies
Some teens will still take risks, so make sure they at least know how to reduce harm if they choose to use. That includes:
Never using alone
Carrying Narcan (naloxone)
Using fentanyl test strips
Knowing the signs of overdose and how to respond
This approach doesn’t just shut down bad choices, it equips teens to make better ones.
Use of Case Studies and Real-Life Examples
Once you've given all the facts and engaged students in discussions about the dangers, now is the time to bring in case studies and real-life examples. YouTube is filled with real stories from families who have lost loved ones—these videos are heartbreaking but important for putting faces to such a heavy topic.
The YouTube series Texas Pictures Documentaries is dedicated to fentanyl overdose and poisoning stories if you're looking for more examples.
Asking Teens Good Questions Around the Topic of Fentanyl
Make sure to include teens in the conversation—like I mentioned before, this isn’t a lecture!
Some great questions to ask could be:
If a friend told you they were going to take a pill at a party, what would you say?
Why do you think some people are still willing to take the risk even when they know it's dangerous?
What do you think is the most dangerous thing about fentanyl?
How can we better educate people on the dangers of fentanyl?
Roleplaying How to Respond to an Overdose.
In health class, we do first aid and CPR training, but why not training on how to respond if we think someone has overdosed? Here's how you can set it up: Have two volunteers come to the front—one person can lie comfortably on the floor.
Ask the students to help guide the first responder volunteer through these important steps:
Check to see if the person is unconscious.
Call 911 immediately.
Try to wake them up by shouting their name or pinching their trap (between neck and shoulder.)
Pretend to administer Narcan (naloxone).
Wait 2 minutes, if they don't wake up give another dose of Narcan
Place them in the recovery position (on their side) if they are breathing but unresponsive.
Imitate rescue breaths or CPR if they are not breathing.
This is also an important time to talk about the Good Samaritan Law, which applies in most states. This law allows people to call 911, even if they were also using drugs, without fear of prosecution. This matters because calling for help should be the first priority—no one should hesitate out of fear of getting in trouble.
Practicing Refusal Skills
I used to skip this part of lessons because I thought it would be cheesy—like all students had to do was "just say no." But we all know teens are great at saying no to plenty of things... just not always the ones we hope for. If you set up the right scenarios, though, there’s way more room for effective role-playing and practicing refusal skills in a way that actually sticks.
Take a look:
Bad example:"Do you want drugs?".........."No."
One, it’s not realistic that a random person will just bluntly ask, “Do you want drugs?”
Two, it doesn’t give room for any response other than no, which doesn’t reflect real-life peer pressure.
Instead, try this:
"Don't worry, I had these pills tested—they’re safe. I’ve already taken some, and I’m fine."
A possible response could be:"Just because some pills are clean doesn’t mean all of them are. It’s really not worth the risk."
This version is more realistic and allows students to apply their knowledge in their responses, making the lesson much more impactful.
How To End The Lesson On The Dangers of Fentanyl Powerfully!
By the end of the lesson, students will understand the facts about fentanyl, its dangers, and how to prevent an overdose. They will hear real stories of people whose lives have been affected or who have lost loved ones, and they will have practiced refusal skills.
But this final element of the lesson really drives the message home.
Using the cards provided in the FREE Fentanyl Resource below, cut out and print enough so that 40% of your class will receive an "Overdose" card, and the other 60% will receive a "You're Safe" card. Pass them out blank side up and tell students these cards represent counterfeit pills confiscated by the DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration).
Ask students:"How many of these pills do you think, statistically, contain a lethal dose (2 mg or more)?"
After discussing their guesses, have everyone flip their cards over. Then, ask the students who received an Overdose card to stand up.
Tell your students: "42% of all counterfeit pills confiscated from the streets contain 2 mg or more of fentanyl—a lethal dose."
End the class with this question:"Do you think it’s worth the risk?"
Get this FREE Dangers of Fentanyl Resource For Your Classroom.
I hope you find these strategies and ideas helpful for your classroom. My deepest wish is that our teens never have to use these skills or even be around fentanyl. But if they do, I hope this lesson comes straight to their minds when they need it most.
Teach On
Katie
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