Preventing Opioid/Fentanyl Misuse Among Children
For Behavioral Health Providers and Healthcare Professionals
As behavioral healthcare providers, your role in educating parents about the dangers of opioid and Fentanyl misuse among children is crucial. Utilize this information to empower parents with knowledge and strategies to recognize warning signs, prevent misuse, and intervene compassionately if needed.
Empowering healthcare providers to educate parents on:
- Recognizing warning signs of opioid/Fentanyl use among children.
- Implementing prevention strategies to safeguard children from opioid use.
- Intervening compassionately if a child is identified as misusing opioids/Fentanyl.
Social Media Awareness:
- Educate parents on recognizing opioid/Fentanyl misuse on social media, including highlighting risks, emoji codes, and other warning signs.
- Note that Fentanyl or fentanyl-laced substances are often sold online via eCommerce websites, social media platforms like Snapchat, or through peer networks, emphasizing the accessibility of substances to children and teens.
Helping Parents Recognize Warning Signs:
- Physical Signs: Small pupils, altered respiratory rate, drowsiness, flu-like symptoms, changes in appetite, and concealed arms.
- Behavioral Signs: Withdrawal from family/friends, changes in hobbies/school performance, isolation, secretive behavior, mood swings, extended absences from home, decreased integrity.
- Advanced Signs: Missing medication, rainbow-colored pills, missing money or items of value.
Prevention Strategies:
- Promote awareness among parents and youth about opioid/Fentanyl dangers.
- Educate parents on safe practices and how to equip children to identify and avoid risky situations, including communication skills, decision-making, goal setting, and assertiveness training.
- Encourage parents to develop a safety plan for their children, including a discreet code word or emoji for communication. This allows children to signal distress without drawing attention. Parents can support their children by acting as allies, ready to help them exit risky situations without fear of judgment. This collaborative approach fosters trust and empowers families to navigate challenges together."
Identification of Paraphernalia:
- Guide parents in identifying Fentanyl pills and drug paraphernalia such as lighters, burned crumpled foil, cut straws, glass tubes, burnt spoons/bottle caps, syringes, small bags with powder residue, and missing shoelaces/belts.
- Provide information on common tools used for opioid consumption.
Intervention Techniques:
- Encourage parents to compassionately address suspicions promptly and have open conversations with their children about substance use.
- Provide guidance on compassionate intervention if a child is suspected of misusing opioids/Fentanyl, emphasizing the importance of remaining calm and listening.
- Equip parents with resources for seeking help and support, including overdose reversal training, access to naloxone, "never use alone" education, and harm reduction strategies.
Resources:
By empowering parents with knowledge and proactive strategies outlined in this tip sheet, we can work together to create safer communities and protect the well-being of our children. Early recognition of warning signs, proactive prevention efforts, and compassionate intervention are key components in our mission to prevent opioid/Fentanyl misuse. Let's continue to educate, support, and advocate for the health and safety of our children, ensuring they have the opportunity to thrive in drug-free environments. Together, we can make a difference.
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