One Pill Can Kill
Be a GameChanger, Save a Life
One Pill Can Kill
Be a GameChanger, Save a Life
The Surge of Fentanyl
Fentanyl is one of the deadliest drugs in America — more deadly than heroin. In 2021, over 107,600 Americans died from drug poisoning or overdose, over 60% of those deaths being attributed to synthetic opioids like fentanyl.
The rise in fentanyl in the U.S. has devastated families and communities. For the past year, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has been working to reduce the fentanyl supply across America, seizing over 10.2 million fentanyl pills and approximately 980 pounds of fentanyl powder between May 23 and September 8, 2022.
The DEA launched One Pill Can Kill to educate the public and encourage parents and caregivers to start a conversation around the dangers of fentanyl, taking fake pills, and illicit drugs.
GameChanger is proud to partner with the DEA and The West Virginia Department of Education on this important work.
Facts on Fentanyl
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid drug commonly used as a pain relief anesthetic – but widely misused and abused.
Why is Fentanyl so Dangerous?
Fentanyl is responsible for a majority of overdose deaths:
Fake Pills
Made to look like prescription drugs, fake pills are medications that have different ingredients from licensed medications — they might have some real ingredients or none at all.
Fake prescription pills aren’t just on the street anymore, they are often sold on social media and online, easily accessible to anyone with a smartphone.
Fentanyl is easy to purchase, widely accessible and extremely deadly. That’s why it’s critical to start the conversation around the dangers of fentanyl and fake pills.
One of my best friends met, [uh], last year, she overdosed on fentanyl. She went to the bathroom and she passed out on the floor and that’s when I went to use the restroom and I found her...
– Aaliyah, Robert C. Byrd High School, Clarksburg, WV
The ONLY safe medications are the ones that come from licensed accredited medical professionals.
For more information on fake pills, visit DEA.gov/OnePill
RESOURCES
Are You Ready to Become a GameChanger?
Sign up and learn more about One Pill Can Kill
TAKE A STAND AGAINST FAKE PILLS
Use the hashtag #ONEPILLCANKILL to spread the word about the harmful effects of fentanyl and fake pills.
While you can’t protect your teen from exposure to opioids and other dangerous substances in their daily lives, you can reduce their chances of addiction and making your home a safe place for open dialog. Talk to your teens about the dangers of substance misuse. Visit GameChangerUSA.org for resources and information that can help
Substance abuse develops over time and does not start as full-blown abuse or addiction. Adolescent substance misuse can increase the risk of developing a substance use disorder later in life. GameChanger is activity involved with the youth of West Virginia and you should be too. Let’s Change the Game for our youth and help them develop healthy lifestyles. For more Information, visit GameChangerUSA.org.
Family, friends and community. Together we can promote awareness regarding substance misuse and lift the stigma that inhibits recovery. Encouraging healthy behaviors and educating teens and preteens about the deadly effects of substance misuse is a shared responsibility. For information and resources, visit GameChangerUSA.org for information and resources
Finding help for yourself, a friend or family member who is struggling with substance misuse is never easy. It is possible to overcome addiction. You are not alone. It’s just a matter of reaching out for help. For information and resources, visit GameChangerUSA.org.