Whereas, Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid prescription drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use as an analgesic (pain relief) and anesthetic. Fentanyl is approximately 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin as an analgesic; and

Whereas, Illicitly Manufactured Fentanyl (IMF) is available in different forms, including liquid and powder. In its liquid form, fentanyl can be found in nasal sprays, eye drops, and dropped onto paper or small candies. In its powdered form, fentanyl may be mixed with drugs like heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine or made into pills that are intended to resemble other prescription opioids; and

Whereas, Fentanyl-laced drugs are extremely dangerous, and an overdose can cause breathing to slow or stop resulting in hypoxia which can lead to a coma, permanent brain damage, and death; and

Whereas, Synthetic opioids, including fentanyl, are now the most common drugs involved in drug overdose deaths in the United States. Drug overdose deaths among adolescents (aged 10 - 19yrs old) increased 109% from the end of 2019 to the end of 2021 with deaths involving illicitly manufactured fentanyl increasing 182% and 25% of adolescent deaths involving counterfeit pills; and

Whereas, Many overdoses have occurred because people did not know that what they were taking was contaminated with fentanyl and additionally, two-thirds of drug overdoses had one or more potential bystanders present, but most provided no overdose response; and

Whereas, Naloxone is a medicine that can temporarily treat a fentanyl overdose when given right away allowing time for medical help to arrive; therefore be it

Resolved, National PTA and its constituent associations support funding and implementation of evidence-based comprehensive substance use education, prevention or early intervention programs that are differentiated for and accessible to all learners and which include community stakeholders in developing locally effective programs; and be it further,

Resolved, National PTA and its constituent associations support educating adolescents about the dangers of illicit manufactured fentanyl and counterfeit pills and how to identify and respond to an overdose; and be it further,

Resolved, National PTA and its constituent associations support all schools having a supply of naloxone and training school staff and bus drivers in overdose recognition and response; and be it further,

Resolved, National PTA and its constituent associations support drug-checking programs that may include harm reduction counseling, health education, and substance abuse treatment and be it further,
Resolved, National PTA and its constituent associations support community integrated programs that focus on building youth resiliency and expanding access to mental health counseling and substance abuse treatment.

Adopted: by the 2024 Convention delegates