Submitted Xavier Walton
(Source NewsNation)
(NewsNation) — School districts across South Florida are working to educate students and families about a drug epidemic plaguing the nation.
Miami-Dade Public Schools announced that they’re launching a new district-wide Fentanyl Awareness Campaign starting next week. The campaign’s goal is to educate South Florida students about a subject that can’t be found in textbooks. Students will learn the signs of overdose and how to administer Narcan.
Fentanyl overdoses among teens aged 14-18 increased by 94% from 2019 to 2023, and Florida was ranked second in the nation for fentanyl-related deaths this year, according to the FDA.
“One pill can kill,” said Miami-Dade School Board Chair Maria Teresa Rojas.
Eight students overdose at Virginia high school in three-week period.
The slogan resonates nationwide, as new data from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency reveals that 7 out of 10 pills seized by the DEA contain a lethal dose of fentanyl.
“It really guts you as a person and you almost can’t get out of bed,” said Greg Swan.
The battle against fentanyl holds a personal significance for Swan, whose son, Drew, lost his life due to a fentanyl overdose at the age of 24. He said his son believed he was consuming a different substance.
“I got a call from my son Jack — “Dad, are you sitting down?” — 12:30 at night. “Dad, are you sitting down?” I said, I’m sitting down, Jack.” He said, “Drew’s dead.” I mean my world was shattered,” Swan recalled.
To spare other parents from enduring the same pain, Swan established Fentanyl Fathers. The nonprofit organization has partnered with Miami-Dade County Public Schools and serves other organizations to initiate the Fentanyl Awareness Campaign.
“So many deaths. So many children with a future ahead of them that they will no longer materialize,” Rojas said.
