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.
Substance abuse can be a learned behavior. Parental substance abuse increases the risk of substance misuse in teens. Parents need to model substance-free behaviors and keep the lines of communication open with their teens. Visit GameChangerUSA.org to find information and resources that can help. Be the change.
Over 100 students from our GameChanger pilot high schools and middle schools, and their GameChanger coaches, have completed Peer Leadership Training since instruction began in late January. These leaders will carry the GameChanger healthy lifestyles message to younger students throughout West Virginia. They will spearhead a cultural shift in our West Virginia schools and communities. Visit GameChangerUSA.org for more GameChanger news.
It’s Summer. Time to enjoy outdoor activities with friends and loved ones. It’s also the season when substance misuse increases, particularly in young adults. Enjoy the summer season substance-free. Get up, get out and find healthy highs through sports, social activities and outdoor events. Have a great sober summer!
Photos from Antero Resources’s post