The talk
that
could
save a life

One in three teens in Virginia believe their friends could accidentally overdose. Teens who nobody thought would even try drugs. Talking about the risks can help protect your teen. ^{1, 2}

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Play video: How to talk to teens about fentanyl risk.

Set a good tone

Face-to-face conversations can feel intense and confrontational. Keep it conversational and casual. Avoid judging them or blaming their friends.

This conversation shouldn’t be a one-off lecture. Find time to talk on walks, drives, and other shared activities.

Ask questions

Starting your conversation with a question helps bring your
teen into the conversation. Here are some examples:

Have you heard of drugs being laced with fentanyl?

Does anyone at school ever talk about the dangers of taking pills from friends?

Would you know what to do if you saw someone who has overdosed?

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What they need to know about fentanyl

Fentanyl is a powerful opioid that is illegally made and being added to illicit drugs across the U.S.

1 in 2 illicit pills in your area contain fentanyl ³
Fentanyl is so strong that one pill can cause a fatal overdose in 3 minutes ⁴
The pills you get from friends have already changed hands over 10 times, so no one knows if they have been laced with fentanyl ⁵

How to spot the signs of an overdose

The signs of overdose are a lot more subtle than you might expect. It often looks like a friend has just fallen asleep. Look to see if:

You can’t wake them
Their breathing is slow or stopped
They’re making heavy gurgling or snoring sounds
They have blue, gray, or purple skin, lips, or nails

Encourage your teen to take action if they’re worried about someone.

What to do if someone overdoses

Always call 911 as soon as you can

See if anyone has naloxone or Narcan® (a nasal spray that reverses overdoses) and use it immediately
Start rescue breathing (CPR without the chest compressions)
Stay with them until help arrives

Find more information on overdose prevention

Get your talk guide to make the fentanyl convo easier

Teens won't know the risks if you don't tell them. This guide contains facts to share, helpful steps to save a life, and insightful ways to start your conversation.

Download

The talk
that
could
save a life

How to start the
conversation

Set a good tone