The fentanyl epidemic seems uncontainable. It could be described as a hemorrhage of overdose deaths with pills containing this synthetic opioid.
Of the 110,000 overdose deaths projected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the overwhelming majority involve fentanyl substances.
This trend is equally worrying. The same CDC report shows that overdose deaths among teenagers doubled in a two-year span, before and during the COVID pandemic.
Never in the history of the country has there been such a high increase in overdoses among American teenagers. Alarmed by the situation (and by criticism from Republicans), the White House recently sent a letter to all schools in the country.
“One of the most important roles you play as educators and administrators is to create safe environments,” asked the letter. “Stopping drug use before it starts is essential and effective.”
Indeed, experts agree that acting early saves lives. The CDC recommends, for example, expanding distribution and use of naloxone and overdose prevention education, expanding access and availability of treatment for substance use disorders, intervening early with people at increased risk of overdose, and improving detecting of overdose outbreaks to facilitate a more effective response.
What could be signs of addiction problems? Problems at work or school, including poor performance, tardiness or absenteeism, and social dysfunction; loss of energy or motivation, neglecting appearance or spending excessive amounts of money on the substance, among others.
Unfortunately, we see a shortsighted approach from both Congress and some federal agencies. Republicans appear to be inordinately concerned about the offer. They want to invade Mexico with special forces to dismantle the pill laboratories of Mexican cartels, but they are not paying the same attention to strategies to counter demand for the drugs within the United States.
Of course it is necessary to fight the demand. It is to be applauded that the Biden administration launched a global coalition against fentanyl and has joined the efforts of China – the main source of the chemical precursors – and Mexico – the main manufacturer of the poison pills.
But in the equation of the fentanyl crisis, greater emphasis must be placed on what the government recognizes as a first step: Preventing adolescents from starting consumption, before it is too late.
The good news is that people with addiction problems are not alone. La Red Hispana has maintained a mental health campaign for several years with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation with information and resources at www.laredhispana.org/hablemosdesaludmental. There is also a Help Line if you or a loved one has problems with substance use at 1800-662-4357. Taking that first step to inform yourself and act can save a life.
