On Thursday, November 17, all third period classes on campus watched a three part video educating them on the dangers of fentanyl. The video was introduced by Simi Valley Police Department’s Officer Gene Colato. Then, student viewed an emotional 20 minute documentary called Dead On Arrival. Lastly, we saw Jaime Puerta, a father that lost his 16-year-old son to a fentanyl overdose, who was also mentioned in the documentary. Even in small doses this opioid can be extremely deadly.  It can come in different colors, sizes, shapes, and drug traffickers purposely try to give young kids and young adults addictions.  Rainbow fentanyl can look like candy or chalk.  Senior Joseph Ferguson said, “I feel like the film made me feel emotional towards the victims and their families, it would make me never even want to try a drug.” 

Fentanyl is a dangerous and nerve racking topic. This synthetic opioid was originally created for pain management treatment for cancer, but is now something to watch out for. It is 50-100 times stronger than morphine. The terrible drug gives a temporary feel of euphoria, yet reduces blood pressure, causes seizures, and eventually, death. It is often added to heroin and leads to overdose deaths. From the videos students learned how such a small amount of fentanyl can be so deadly.