Marie Garceau
Fentanyl remains a significant threat across the state. Illegally made fentanyl is available on the drug market in different forms, such as white powder. The powder fentanyl resembles other drugs and is commonly mixed with cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine.
It is also manufactured to mimic prescription pain medication. Illegal medication is easily purchased through social media platforms.
Fentanyl and other synthetic opioids are the most common drugs involved in overdose deaths. Prevention and education are crucial, especially for young people. Grandparents can become a reliable source of factual information.
Resources like the Seniors’ Guide to Fentanyl and local drug education play an essential role.
There are significant risks associated with recreational drug use. Non-fatal overdose deaths have increased in Georgia since 2019, and 57 percent of all overdose deaths are due to fentanyl.
There are practical ways grandparents can speak to their grandchildren and encourage their adult children to have these conversations.
Keep things age appropriate and use language that is easy for a child or teen to understand. There are different ways to discuss the topic depending on their age.
When speaking to teens or young adults, ask open-ended questions like: What do you know about fentanyl? Or What are your thoughts on drug use? Are you concerned about someone offering you drugs?
This can help start a conversation and fill the void with factual information about fentanyl and its risks.
Share personal experiences and examples of peer pressure and how it was managed. While the approaches to peer pressure are much different today because of social media, the practical methods of handling or avoiding it can still be applied.
Teens can often experience significant peer pressure online through their social media platforms. Social media also glorifies drug and alcohol use.
Please encourage them to speak to their parents or caregivers and help them create a trusting environment with the people they live with. Get them to ask questions and voice their opinions, as this becomes the best way to share ideas and gain knowledge.
Any form of drug education or prevention efforts helps young people make informed and responsible decisions and avoid potentially dangerous situations. Speak to your grandchildren about drugs and fentanyl, and help your adult children engage in these conversations.
Marie Garceau has been working in the field of substance use and addiction recovery for over a decade. Her primary focus is to reach out to the community and spread awareness. She does this to educate others about the dangers of drug use and help them make informed decisions. Reach her at marieg@addicted.org.