That’s because Mississippi is going through an overdose epidemic.”

Jan Dawson

Talking to kids about substance abuse has never been easy—yet it has never been more urgent. That’s because Mississippi is going through an overdose epidemic. It’s a nationwide problem that has been covered extensively in the media, perhaps to such an extent that many people are no longer shocked by tragic stories of lives cut short by drug overdoses. That is, until a tragedy happens to someone they love.

As students return to classrooms across Mississippi, many will benefit from drug-abuse awareness programs in their schools and communities. While schools play a key role in youth outreach, drug education needs to start at home. Parents and caregivers should know the facts so they can be a reliable source of education, support, and prevention.

One alarming fact is that overdoses are now the leading cause of death among U.S. adults ages 18-45. In recent years, fatal overdoses have primarily increased among two groups—African Americans and people under age 35.

The proliferation of synthetic opioids such as fentanyl has been a driving factor in overdose fatalities, and often these illicit substances are present in lethal amounts in fake pills disguised as legitimate prescription pills. It’s difficult to tell the difference, and a very small amount can kill.

Social media has become a popular marketplace for buyers and sellers and made it easier to purchase drugs. Young people are especially vulnerable on these platforms, and drug dealers are getting more sophisticated in their tactics.

When confronted with the statistics, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and even to feel helpless. But there are actions we can take in our everyday lives to prevent overdoses, starting with how we talk to kids about substance abuse and the people who struggle with it.

A great place to start is the Make Mississippi OD Free website at odfree.org, which provides information about overdose data, prevention, and treatment along with helpful resources in your community. The website includes these tips and others to make your home a “safe zone” for conversations about drugs.

Be a reliable source of facts. Learn about drugs circulating in your community and their effects. Ask kids what they know about fentanyl and be prepared to answer their questions. Avoid lecturing, threatening, or using scare tactics.

Make it OK to talk about drugs. Having “the big talk” about drugs, or any serious topic, is rarely effective. Instead, try keeping conversations frequent and short, which can help increase everyone’s comfort level with the topic and build trust.

Lead with compassion, not judgment. When discussing substance abuse, try focusing on the disease itself and factors that contribute to it, such as genetics, environment, and mental health. Instead of reinforcing the stigma, encourage empathy and understanding.

Learn about naloxone. This life-saving medication can reverse an overdose from opioids such as heroin, fentanyl, and prescription opioid medications. If you or someone you know is at an increased risk for opioid overdose, you should carry naloxone, keep it at home, and make sure everyone knows what it is and how to use it.

Safely dispose of unused prescriptions. Household medicine cabinets are a common source of drugs linked to overdoses. In Mississippi, several prescription drug collection locations are open year-round for safe and anonymous drop-off and disposal.

There’s no one fix to stop the overdose crisis, but learning the facts about substance abuse and approaching the topic with openness and understanding are steps in the right direction. Make time to visit odfree.org for more information about preventing drug overdoses and saving lives.

And observe International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD), this Thursday, Aug. 31st, a day dedicated to honoring the people whose lives have been altered by overdose. Visit overdoseday.com for additional tools and information related to overdose response, prevention, and harm reduction.