As students across the country return to classrooms and campuses, there is a critical issue that demands their attention: the rise of fentanyl and the dangers of synthetic opioids. While high school and college are often associated with new experiences and opportunities, it is also a time when young adults can be exposed to various risks, including substance abuse and deadly poisonings. In recent years, the emergence of synthetic opioids – particularly fentanyl – has added a new and deadly dimension to the already complex landscape of drug use among students.

Nearly 110,000 people died from drug overdoses in the United States in 2022. The 109,680 individuals who lost their life last year as a result of fentanyl, synthetic opioids and other drug poisonings are not just a data point. These are our sons, daughters, neighbors and friends. A Morning Consult study found that 30% of Americans know someone directly affected by opioid addiction. Over 15% of Americans know someone who died from opioids.

In the face of the devastating opioid and fentanyl epidemic that has swept across our nation, it has become more important than ever for community leaders to adopt a comprehensive approach to save lives from the deadly grip of overdoses. HarborPath is dedicated to contributing to these efforts to save lives by making Naloxone affordable and available to those who need it most.