Fentanyl Awareness Script

Slide 1: Introduction (1 minute)

“Good morning, everyone! Today we are going to talk about fentanyl—an extremely powerful drug that you may have heard about in the news. By the end of this talk, you will know what fentanyl is, why it’s so dangerous, and what to do if you ever encounter it or someone offers it to you. Let’s get started!”

—Pause and look around the room—

Slide 2: Quick Recap from Warm-Up (1 minute)

“First, let’s revisit what you wrote during the warm-up. Who would like to share one thing they already know about fentanyl or opioids?”

—Call on 2–3 volunteers—

“Thank you. Those ideas help me see what you already understand. Now let’s build on that.”

Slide 3: What Is Fentanyl? (3 minutes)

“Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid. That means it’s a man-made version of the painkillers doctors sometimes prescribe, but it is 50 to 100 times more powerful than morphine. Imagine something you think is safe suddenly becoming dozens of times stronger—that’s fentanyl.

“Can someone tell me one reason why a drug being stronger could be especially risky for a person who doesn’t have a prescription?”

—Pause for responses—

“Exactly. A small amount can overwhelm your body’s breathing and heart rate, leading to overdose and, in some cases, death.”

Slide 4: Teen Overdose Statistics (2 minutes)

“I want to share a few numbers with you:

• In the past year, teen overdose deaths involving fentanyl have tripled.
• Many of these teens didn’t even know they were taking fentanyl—sometimes it’s mixed into pills or powders sold as something else.

“What stands out to you about those statistics?”

—Pause—

“Right. Even small mistakes or guesses can have serious, life-threatening consequences.”

Slide 5: Common Forms and Sources (3 minutes)

“Fentanyl can come in several forms:

• White or off-white powder
• Counterfeit pills that look like prescription opioids (such as oxycodone)
• Mixed into other street drugs like heroin or cocaine

“Here on the projector, you can see images of what counterfeit pills sometimes look like. They might say ‘M30’ on them, mimicking legitimate medications.

“Why do you think someone would add fentanyl to another drug?”

—Pause—

“Right—for profit. It’s cheap to produce, so dealers use it to make more money, but it puts users at extreme risk.”

Slide 6: Real-Life Scenario (3 minutes)

“Let’s imagine this situation: You’re at a party and someone you don’t know well offers you a pill, saying it’s Percocet. It looks convincing, but you remember our discussion.

“In your small groups, decide together: What would you do in this situation? Do not actually take the pill. Talk it through for one minute.”

—Give students 60 seconds to discuss—

“Okay, let’s hear a few ideas. Group 1?”

—Call on a group spokesperson—

“Great. Group 2?”

—Call on another group—

“You suggested checking the source, refusing politely, or walking away. Those are all smart choices.”

Slide 7: Refusal Strategies (2 minutes)

“If someone offers you a pill or powder and you’re not 100% sure what it is, you have three simple steps:

1. Say no firmly. “No thanks—I’m good.”
2. Offer an alternative. “I’m actually going to grab some water instead.”
3. Leave the situation. Go find friends you trust or an adult.

“Practicing these lines ahead of time makes it easier to use them when it counts.”

Slide 8: Signs of Overdose & How to Help (2 minutes)

“Knowing the signs of an opioid overdose can save a life. Look for:

• Slow, shallow breathing or no breathing
• Unresponsiveness—can’t wake the person up
• Blue lips or fingernails

“If you suspect someone is overdosing:

1. Call 911 immediately.
2. Administer naloxone (Narcan) if it’s available.
3. Perform rescue breathing until help arrives.

“Don’t be afraid to seek help—every second counts.”

Slide 9: Key Takeaways & Resources (1 minute)

“Let’s wrap up with three key points:

1. Fentanyl is extremely powerful and can be hidden in pills or powders.
2. If you’re ever unsure about a pill or powder, just say no and walk away.
3. Learn to recognize overdose signs and how to call for help.

“If you ever have questions or need someone to talk to, you can reach out to the school counselor, a trusted teacher, or call the national helpline at 1-800-662-HELP. Thank you for your attention—stay safe and look out for each other.”

Fentanyl Warm-Up Activity

Time: 5 minutes

Take 3 minutes to write your responses to the questions below. We’ll share a few answers afterward to see what we already know.

1. What words or phrases come to mind when you hear fentanyl?

1. What do you think fentanyl is used for, or what questions do you have about it?

1. Have you ever heard or seen fentanyl in real life (e.g., in the news, on social media, or through friends)? If yes, describe where or how.

After writing, be ready to share one thought or question with the class.

Fentanyl Awareness Answer Key {#fentanyl-awareness-answer-key}

This answer key provides correct responses and rationales for each quiz question. Use these explanations to guide grading and student feedback.

Question 1

Prompt: What type of drug is fentanyl?

• Correct Answer: A synthetic opioid

Explanation:
Fentanyl is a fully man-made (synthetic) opioid, not derived directly from the opium poppy like natural opioids. It mimics natural opioids’ effects but is produced in a laboratory.

Question 2

Prompt: Compared to morphine, fentanyl is approximately how much more potent?

• Correct Answer: 50 to 100 times more potent

Explanation:
Fentanyl is 50–100× stronger than morphine. This extreme potency means even a tiny amount can cause profound respiratory depression and overdose in someone without tolerance.

Question 3

Prompt: Which of the following describes how fentanyl is commonly found?

• Correct Answer: White or off-white powder and counterfeit pills

Explanation:
Illicit fentanyl often appears as a fine white or off-white powder or pressed into counterfeit pills resembling prescription opioids (e.g., marked “M30”). It is rarely encountered as a legitimate pill or purely injectable form outside medical settings.

Question 4

Prompt: When someone offers you a pill and you're not sure what it is, which refusal strategy aligns with what you learned?

• Correct Answer: Politely say no, offer an alternative, and leave the situation

Explanation:
This three-step refusal strategy—(1) a firm “No thanks,” (2) suggesting a safe alternative (like getting water), and (3) exiting the situation—helps students decline unknown substances without confrontation.

Question 5

Prompt: What are common signs of a fentanyl overdose?

• Correct Answer: Slow or stopped breathing, unresponsiveness, blue lips or fingernails

Explanation:
Fentanyl’s life-threatening effect is respiratory depression. Look for very slow or absent breathing, inability to rouse the person, and cyanosis (bluish skin, especially around lips and fingertips).

Question 6

Prompt: List three actions you should take if you suspect someone is overdosing on fentanyl.

Ideal Student Responses (any three of the following):

1. Call 911 immediately. Getting professional medical help is the top priority.
2. Administer naloxone (Narcan) if available. This opioid antagonist can reverse respiratory depression.
3. Perform rescue breathing or CPR. Support breathing until EMS arrives.
4. Stay with the person and monitor their condition. Provide information to first responders.
5. Remove any remaining substance and note what was taken. This can help medical personnel provide targeted care.

Rationale:
Timely recognition and response save lives. Calling 911, using naloxone, and providing rescue breathing directly counter fentanyl’s respiratory effects and ensure continuous monitoring until advanced care arrives.

End of Answer Key