Category Archives: Education and Learning

Understanding the Deadly Dangers of Fentanyl Use

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Fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid, has emerged as a significant public health concern due to its alarming prevalence and deadly consequences. While originally developed for medical use as a pain reliever, illicit fentanyl use has skyrocketed in recent years, leading to a surge in overdose deaths and devastating consequences for individuals and communities alike. Understanding the dangers of fentanyl use is crucial in addressing this urgent public health crisis.

Potency

Fentanyl is estimated to be 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine and significantly more potent than heroin. Even a tiny amount of fentanyl can cause severe respiratory depression, leading to overdose and death. Due to its potency, fentanyl is often mixed with other drugs such as heroin, cocaine, or counterfeit prescription pills without the user’s knowledge, increasing the risk of accidental overdose.

Risk

The misuse of fentanyl and its analogs has led to a sharp increase in overdose deaths across the globe. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), synthetic opioids, primarily fentanyl, were involved in nearly 75% of all opioid-related overdose deaths in the United States in 2019. This alarming trend highlights the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to address the opioid epidemic and prevent further loss of life.

Hidden in Street Drugs

One of the most significant dangers of fentanyl use is its clandestine presence in street drugs. Illicitly manufactured fentanyl is often mixed with other substances, such as heroin or cocaine, to increase potency or extend the drug’s supply. However, without proper dosage control or awareness of fentanyl’s presence, individuals who use these drugs are at high risk of unintentional overdose and death.

Increased Risk of Addiction:

The addictive nature of opioids, including fentanyl, poses a significant risk to individuals who use these substances recreationally or as prescribed. Continued use of fentanyl can lead to physical dependence, tolerance, and addiction, making it increasingly difficult for individuals to stop using the drug without professional help. Moreover, the withdrawal symptoms associated with fentanyl cessation can be severe and contribute to relapse.

Addressing the dangers of fentanyl use requires a multifaceted approach that includes prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and enforcement efforts. Public health initiatives aimed at raising awareness about the risks of fentanyl use, providing naloxone training and distribution, and expanding access to evidence-based treatment options are essential components of an effective response.

Recognizing the dangers of fentanyl use and implementing comprehensive strategies to address the opioid epidemic are critical steps in saving lives and mitigating the impact of this deadly crisis.

Sources:

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Drug Overdose Deaths.” 2021.

2. National Institute on Drug Abuse. “Fentanyl DrugFacts.” 2020.

3. Drug Enforcement Administration. “Fentanyl.” 2022.

4. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. “Key Substance Use and Mental Health Indicators in the United States: Results from the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.” 2021.

CJ Crawford

DrugFree Greenville Public Education Committee

Teen Pregnancy Prevention

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She sounded young and scared when she called. “I think I am pregnant. I need to see how far along I am. How much is an appointment?”  Hundreds of calls start this way every year at Raffa. Located in downtown Greenville, Raffa Clinic provides free and confidential services that allow a woman to feel safe in confirming her pregnancy, seeing her baby in an ultrasound, and getting support, education, and resources specific to help her situation.  

Texas ranks eighth in the country for teenage pregnancy. Texas also has the second highest rate of repeat births. Hunt County has a high teen birth rate as compared with other counties in the state.  Teenage mothers are often at risk to have low birth weight babies and an increased risk of infant mortality. Access to prenatal care early in pregnancy is key to prevent these from happening. Fear of people judging teen parents and lack of financial resources are the most common barriers cited to beginning prenatal care in the first trimester of pregnancy for teen moms. 

Raffa Clinic strives to help teen mothers during their first trimester of pregnancy by providing initial prenatal care and Medicaid enrollment at no cost. Early care greatly increases the likelihood of a healthy pregnancy for both mom and baby. Raffa clinical staff also educate on the importance of good nutrition and helping mom (and dad) prepare for childbirth and baby’s arrival as well providing material items such as diapers and car seats at no cost. 

Teenage parents are often at high risk to drop out of school as well. This doesn’t have to be the case. Students can work with their school district to successfully complete high school and get their diploma or GED while parenting. Raffa works one-on-one with teen parents and local schools to help the student successfully navigate finishing high school while parenting by providing life skills and parenting classes at Raffa Family Center in Greenville. 

One young mother said this about her recent visit to Raffa Clinic, “I absolutely love everything about this clinic, the staff is so genuine! I am a young expecting mom and everywhere I went I felt judged, but not here!! The second I walked in the door it felt like everyone there was supporting me. I love the emotional and spiritual support! The nurses also go above and beyond making sure you are informed and comfortable.”

DrugFree Greenville Public Education Committee

Child Abuse Awareness

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Child physical and sexual abuse is alarmingly prevalent in all communities. In Hunt County, approximately every 15 hours there is a confirmed case of child abuse.  These crimes have a lifelong effect on children and what type of adults they will become.  Many of us would like to believe that we would be able to recognize if abuse was happening to our own children.  Even more of us believe that we would know who the perpetrator is.  Unfortunately, upwards of 90% of all perpetrators is someone the child and the family knows, loves, and trusts; less than 1% of perpetrators are strangers.

            National research and statistics show that 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys will be sexually abused before they turn 18 years of age. 1 in 10 children will tell.  The statistics in Hunt County line up with those nationwide numbers as well.  It is in our backyard!  Perpetrators will groom the child and those around them to ensure the child will not tell and the perpetrator is not suspected.  Grooming is typically done in a very subtle way by using words, gifts, and coercion, but could also be direct by using threats to the child.

            This subject is difficult to discuss or believe that it exists to the level that it does.  It is important for every adult to know the signs and if you suspect something, report it.  Too many people do not want to make a report because they are afraid to get involved.  It is every adults mandated duty, by law, to report to law enforcement or CPS any suspicion they may have about physical or sexual abuse relating to a child.  You may be the person that saves that child’s life, childhood, etc.  You do not have to have evidence, just a reasonable suspicion to make a report without malice.

 Signs of child physical or sexual abuse may include:  unexplained injuries, changes in behavior, returning to earlier behaviors (such as thumb sucking or bed wetting), fear of going home, changes in eating or sleeping habits, changes in school performance and attendance, lack of personal care or hygiene, risk-taking behaviors, and inappropriate sexual behaviors.  If a child tells you something has happened to them, please follow these steps:  listen to and tell them you believe them, remain calm, do NOT ask an abundance of questions, do NOT panic, and do NOT press the child to talk; contact law enforcement and call the Texas Child Abuse Hotline at 800-252-5400 as soon as possible.

            Children are counting on you to stand up for them and report your suspicions or any specific information a child tells you about child abuse.  For more information you can contact Amy Ramsey at 903-454-9999.

Amy Ramsey/Director of Community Outreach & Education

Hunt County Children’s Advocacy Center/Crisis Center of Northeast Texas

DrugFree Greenville Public Education Committee

Know Your Facts

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Drug and alcohol abuse is a serious issue that affects millions of people worldwide. It is important to be aware of the facts surrounding these substances in order to make an informed decision about their use. What better time to provide our community with facts concerning drug and alcohol abuse than National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week, Monday, March 18, to Sunday, March 24, 2024? 

One of the most alarming facts about drugs and alcohol is their impact on physical health. Substance abuse can lead to a wide range of health problems, including liver damage, heart disease, and mental health disorders. Drugs and alcohol can impair judgment, leading to risky behaviors such as driving under the influence or engaging in unsafe sexual practices. They can also have long-term effects on the brain, causing memory loss, cognitive impairment, and addiction. Furthermore, experimenting with drugs and alcohol at a young age can hinder proper brain development and increase the likelihood of developing substance abuse disorders later in life. Unfortunately, for most youth today, health problems that occur years down the road is not preventative measure that will deter youth from experimenting. 

Experimenting with drugs today is vastly different from decades past. In the 1960s and 70s, drug experimentation was often seen as a rebellious act against societal norms, with substances like LSD and marijuana being popular choices. Today, however, drug experimentation is more dangerous than ever due to the rise of synthetic drugs like fentanyl and bath salts. Fentanyl and bath salts are often much more potent and unpredictable than their natural counterparts, leading to a higher risk of overdose and death, leaving families and communities devastated.  Our community takes an especially hard hit because Texas is a national distribution center for illicit drugs. Drug traffickers commonly smuggle illicit drugs into and through the state. Drug traffickers generally use Interstates 10, 20, 25, 30, and 35, as well as U.S. Highways 59, 77, 83, and 281 as primary routes for transporting drugs throughout Texas from Mexico. 

We must work together to prevent access to illegal drugs by children. It is crucial to educate ourselves about the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse to protect ourselves and educate our youth about the risks and consequences of drug use.  Drug Free Greenville is a vital program aimed at combating substance abuse and addiction in our community by providing education, prevention, and treatment resources.  This program seeks to create a safer and healthier environment for all residents of Greenville. One of the key components of the Drug Free Greenville programs is its focus on early intervention and educating young people about the dangers of drug use and providing them with alternative coping mechanisms, so we can prevent substance abuse before it starts. Additionally, the program offers support by connecting individuals to resources such as counseling, support groups, and rehabilitation services. 

Ultimately, it is up to each individual to live a healthy and sober life but that decision is easier when you know the facts.

Karla Meeks

Drug Free Greenville Public Education Committee

Marketing Manager of the Mental Health Clinic of Greenville

Gun Safety in the Home

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The responsibility for gun safety in the home begins and ends with the adults in the residence. It is imperative that we not only secure our weapons; but that we teach gun safety to our children from a very early age. We do this because we love them and want them to be safe, right?

               There are laws in most states that impose penalties on adults who make firearms accessible to children through negligence, and we will look at Texas statutes in depth in another article. Let’s focus on safety measures here. And I am specifically addressing parents who have children and teens in your home, car, boat, camper, (need I go on?) or those of you that have the potential to have them come to visit.

               First, never leave a gun unattended. Whether loaded or unloaded, never set a gun down and walk away from it. It is too tempting for children, who want to touch everything they see. Always unload your firearm when not in use and store the firearm and the ammunition in separate locations. Lock the firearms in a gun safe, lockbox, cabinet, or with a cable lock. You can often obtain free cable locks from your local police department. Lock the ammunition up as well and keep the keys to the firearms and the ammunition storage in separate locations.

               I have heard people argue many times that they don’t want to search for the keys, have an unloaded weapon, open a safe, etc. while someone is breaking into their home. I completely understand the need to balance protecting your family from intruders while protecting your family from your weapons. There are many varieties of gun lockers and safes that have touch panels for biometric access. They even work when the power is out. If this is a concern for you, consider getting one of these types of gun safes. They can also be installed in vehicles, boats, and so on.

               Children are often curious and impulsive. How many times have you told them not to do something and they do it anyway? That’s their job—to drive us nuts. So even when we give them warnings, kids often want to explore a gun if they find it. It is our duty to protect them!  Talk with children about what to do if they see a gun. Make sure they know not to touch it, to leave the area right away, and tell you or another responsible adult. Kids see guns every day on TV and in video games and they don’t always understand the difference between reality and fantasy. Give them specific steps to memorize and follow: Don’t touch! Leave! Tell!

               If you allow your child or teen to use a firearm for recreation or hunting with you, it is very important that you make sure they understand that it is never OK to handle a gun without you or another responsible adult there. They should always assume a firearm is loaded and never point a gun at someone. Teach them the proper way to unload a firearm and how to check that it is clear. Consider attending a hunter’s education or gun safety class with your child. Greenville PD offers a hunters education class every summer for youth. And finally, always set a good example with your own safe gun handling practices.

CJ Crawford

DrugFree Greenville Board Member

DrugFree Greenville Public Education Committee

Explaining “Self-Medication” to Kids

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Self-medication is when someone tries to make themselves feel better by using things like alcohol or illegal drugs. You know how when you have a headache, you might take medicine to feel better? Well, sometimes people use things like alcohol or drugs to try to feel better emotionally, not just physically. But the problem is, it doesn’t really work the same way.

Imagine you’re feeling sad or upset because of something happening in your life, like problems at school or with friends. Instead of talking to someone or finding healthy ways to cope, some people might choose to drink alcohol or use drugs to forget about their feelings or feel happier. They think it will help them feel better, at least for a little while.

But the thing is, using alcohol or drugs to cope with feelings isn’t a good idea. It might make you feel better for a short time, but it can make things worse in the long run. In the first place, it’s not a real fix.  Just like putting a band-aid on a broken arm won’t really help, using alcohol or drugs to numb your feelings won’t fix what’s really bothering you. It might seem like it helps at first, but those feelings will still be there when the effects wear off.

More importantly, it can be dangerous! Alcohol and drugs can make you feel dizzy, sick, or even make you pass out. They can also mess with your brain and body, especially if you’re still growing and developing. Using them when you’re not supposed to or in large amounts can be really risky and lead to even more problems. It can affect your relationship with your family and friends, your schoolwork, and even your health. Plus, if you rely on alcohol or drugs to cope, it can be hard to stop using them later.

Instead of turning to alcohol or drugs, it’s important to find healthy ways to deal with your feelings. Talking to someone you trust, like a parent, teacher, or counselor, can really help. You can also try things like exercise, drawing, writing, or listening to music to help you feel better.

Remember, it’s okay to feel sad, stressed, or angry sometimes. Everyone goes through tough times. But using alcohol or drugs to try to escape those feelings isn’t the answer. It’s important to find healthy ways to cope and get the support you need when you’re feeling down. You’re not alone, and there are people who care about you and want to help.

CJ Crawford – DrugFree Greenville Board Member

DrugFree Greenville Public Education Committee

Teach Kids to Love Learning

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Often expressed is the concern that young people are not interested in learning because they are overly occupied on their cell phones and not reading books. However, young people today have never known life without a cell phone device. They use it for everything from scheduling to homework. Kids can learn to love learning while using their smartphones by taking advantage of its capabilities. Here are five suggestions.

Start young, or as soon as possible. Children develop perspectives and adopt habits most easily from a young age. Learning is simply acquiring knowledge. So, looking up story times for the library or reading about a new business in town are learning activities. Although your goal for the child may be more in-depth or broader, simple learning begins with the skills to navigate everyday life. Start leading kids to look for information on their own. Use subjects that the child is interested in to show them how they can find more information. Suggest questions that pique their curiosity such as whether or not dinosaurs had feathers and what makes one car faster than the other. Older kids thinking about careers might want to know how much money different jobs pay. Teenagers who are interested in music might want to know how music is produced professionally.

Set an example. Children imitate what they see. Let them see you learning new things. Looking for a job, setting up a budget, or planning a trip, are all endeavors that requiring learning. Show them what you are learning, why you are learning it, and how you look for information. But keep the sessions appropriately shorter, depending on their age, and do not be disappointed if they seem disinterested. The point is to make them aware of the learning process as a natural part of life and living.

Help kids have good experiences or benefit from learning. For example, if you plan on going out to eat, let the kids research restaurants. Ask them to look up distances, menus, and prices and give their opinion on the best option. If they are asking for a pet, let them to look up the costs of caring for one. Help the kids feel comfortable at places of learning. Within 15 miles of Greenville are 2 colleges and a university which offer events such as outdoor movie nights, festivals, and cultural events at low-cost or free to the public. Use these opportunities to become familiar with what is offered there.

Help identify credible sources. If you are not sure where to start, ask at the local school or public library. Older children who are politically inclined can be helped to find credible sources from different points of view and that prepares them participate in educated discussions. Instead of struggling with your kids to limit their cell phone use, redirect their existing incentive by encouraging them to expand the potential for acquiring information and knowledge that equips them to reach their goals.

Marifrances Casey