Know the Facts: Protect Your Child from Fake Pills & Dangerous Drugs 

Our kids are facing a serious danger from fake pills that are laced with fentanyl—a deadly drug often hidden in what appear to be common medications. Many young people, struggling with stress or pain, unknowingly buy these fake pills on social media and from friends, thinking they’re safe, but even one pill can be fatal. This crisis is happening at a time when more young people than ever are facing mental health challenges, leading to a tragic rise in drug overdoses.

What is Fentanyl? 

Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that’s only legal when prescribed by a doctor. It’s used in hospitals to manage pain, but there’s also a dangerous version being made illegally. This illegal fentanyl is mixed into other drugs and made into fake pills that look real. Because it’s a white powder, it can be added to almost anything without being noticed. 

How Does Fentanyl Reach Young People? 

Illegal fentanyl is cheap to make, so drug dealers mix it into fake pills that look just like common medications like Percocet, Xanax, or Oxycontin. These fake pills are sold to young people who don’t realize they’re taking something deadly. Fentanyl is also found in other drugs like meth, cocaine, and MDMA (Ecstasy/Molly). 

Why is Fentanyl So Lethal? 

Teens and young adults often get pills like Xanax or Percocet through friends or social media, not knowing they might be fake. Fentanyl is so strong that just one pill can be enough to kill. It’s deadly in very tiny amounts—even a dose as small as a grain of sand can be fatal. 

Here’s a critical message to share: “Please don’t take any pills unless they’re prescribed to you and come from a pharmacy. It’s just too risky.” 

Start the Conversation 

Song for Charlie created The New Drug Talk in partnership with doctors, educators and drug prevention specialists to help you have these important conversations with your kids about the dangers of fentanyl and fake pills. We know these talks can be tough, but they’re crucial for keeping your children safe.

To help you get started, we’ve created interactive scenarios that guide you through real-life situations, offering tips and strategies for how to approach these lifesaving topics.