Teens Advocate for Fentanyl Awareness in Schools
High school students Eli Myers and Kyle Santoro are raising awareness about the dangers of fentanyl after personal losses to overdoses. Their efforts include creating educational films and projects to inform peers about the risks associated with counterfeit pills.
| Score | Value |
|---|---|
Scale | 8 |
Novelty | 6 |
Positivity | 7 |
Reliability | 6 |
Actionability | 7 |
Society | 8 |
Journalism | 5 |
Highlights
- Eli Myers and Kyle Santoro are high school students advocating for fentanyl awareness after losing friends to overdoses.
- Teen overdose deaths have increased significantly, with drug-related death rates among 14- to 18-year-olds doubling between 2019 and 2022.
- Fentanyl is often found in counterfeit pills that resemble real pharmaceuticals, leading to unintentional overdoses.
- Santoro produced a documentary titled 'Fentanyl High' to educate peers about the dangers of fentanyl.
- Experts emphasize the need for modern drug education programs in schools to address the fentanyl crisis.
Perspectives
- There is a consensus among experts and advocates that current drug education programs in schools are inadequate, leading to a lack of awareness about the dangers of fentanyl and counterfeit pills. This perspective is supported by the experiences of students like Santoro and Myers, who feel that open discussions about drug use are essential for prevention.
- Santoro believes that fostering open communication between students and adults is crucial in addressing the fentanyl crisis, as it allows for discussions that go beyond drug use and help build community support. This view is reflected in his experiences with post-film discussions that encourage sharing and understanding.