The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) seized more than 80 million fentanyl-laced fake pills and almost 12,000 pounds of fentanyl-laced powder in 2023.

And it’s being laced in drugs that teens regularly purchase, such as cocaine and prescription drugs.

Speaker and education specialist Juana Galvan spoke on the dangers of the fentanyl crisis towards teens at the City of Houston Municipal Courts Juvenile Case Manager Program’s hour-long virtual fentanyl abuse and awareness presentation on Microsoft Teams on Nov. 18.

Bellaire High School, Sterling High School, Davis High School, Yates High School, Spring Woods Middle School, Cullen Middle School and Ortiz Middle School students attended the lecture.

“Two milligrams of fentanyl, equivalent to two grains of salt, can kill you within minutes,” Galvan said. “These aren’t necessarily people that are seeking out fentanyl. They’re seeking out [other drugs] and they’re being deceived.”

University of Texas Medical Branch found in a study using preliminary state data from 2023 that Harris County leads the state in fentanyl overdose deaths. Another 2022 study from Harris County Public Health revealed that substance-involved deaths, specifically those from alcohol, cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamine, opioids and PCP, rose 72.7% from 2018 to 2022 in the county.

“The earlier you begin using a substance, the greater the risk of addiction,” Galvan said. “A brain doesn’t finish developing until 25 years of age. If [we use a substance] before our brain stops developing, we’re slowing ourselves down, not only physically, but mentally as well.”

In addition to addressing the scope and dangers of fentanyl and displaying an educational video on the drug, Galvan also discussed vaping and e-cigarettes. According to Galvan, several teens believe vaping is less harmful than cigarettes; however, additives such as nicotine and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) have been found in e-cigarettes, making them highly addictive.

“[Vapes] were created for the intention of people who were addicted to nicotine and wanted to stop smoking,” Galvan said. “It’s important to notice and know when it comes to any substance abuse, it creates anxiety, depression [and] PTSD.”

According to Galvan, fentanyl is 50 to 100 times more potent than other opioids, such as morphine. She encouraged students to contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and reach out to trusted adults if they suspect a fentanyl overdose or need help with drug addiction.

To learn more about the impacts of fentanyl and drug abuse, visit The National Institute on Drug Abuse.