By Alyssa Villasenor, Staff Writer | December 04, 2022
From AP Images
Overdose deaths have risen in the past year. Now, it is spreading across school
campuses, which is considered the safest area for our children. There have been at
least 7 student overdoses in Los Angeles because of pills. Unfortunately, students are
unable to detect fentanyl by smell, taste, look, or touch.
According to the “Los Angeles Times”, Melanie Ramos, a 15-year-old student who
attended Helen Bernstein High School, died of an overdose on campus. You may
wonder how Ramos attained such items on campus. A 15-year-old boy on campus was
arrested on suspicion of manslaughter as they believe Ramos bought pills from him,
pills which contained the deadly fentanyl.
Academies Education and Empowerment sophomore Daniel Looney shared, “Yes, I
have heard of them [fentanyl overdoses], and I feel like it’s a big problem because more
teenagers are somehow getting access to them.”
What can be done to combat this problem? One idea is to monitor students more
closely.
AEE sophomore Taelenuu Tuaau mentioned, “I have heard of it [fentanyl overdoses],
and I think school security should also step up their game [keeping students safe].”
In order for students and schools to be safer, Narcan could be required. Narcan is a
nasal spray, which reverses the deadly effects of opioids. Also, some schools have
already launched education campaigns about fentanyl. Sacramento City Unified has
also announced that its schools would now have Narcan on campuses, which will be
supplied by the state.
There are also different fentanyl drugs that are disguised as more appealing things,
such as candy. The districts have been warned about these facts and are now taking
precautions.
According to the Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tony Thurmond, school officials
need to take “immediate steps” about solving this fentanyl crisis.
“Students believe they are purchasing Adderall, Percocet, or Xanax pills but drug
dealers are making fake pills that contain cheaper substances such as fentanyl,”
Thurmond reportedly stated.
“Fentanyl overdoses have rose from about 29 deaths in 2019 to 135 in 2021,” according
to the Office of Education. “Statewide, fentanyl deaths accounted for more than 80% of
all drug-related deaths in young people.”
Comments