Reports of fentanyl-laced vape pens in schools spark conversation

Social media users also debated the cause of declining opioid overdose deaths in the U.S.

Online conversations about opioids this week discussed reports of fentanyl-laced vapes in a Nevada high school, leading to a debate about the risks of vaping among young people. Meanwhile, social media users discussed why opioid deaths in the U.S. are declining and how federal funding cuts may impact the trend.

In response, communicators may recirculate information about fentanyl-laced products and fentanyl test strips, share information about spotting opioid overdoses and using naloxone, and explain how harm reduction interventions save lives.

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What’s trending nationally in conversations about opioids

On March 26, a high school in Douglas County, Nevada, announced that it had confiscated vape pens laced with marijuana, MDMA, and fentanyl, prompting online conversation about the safety of commercially available vape pens and marijuana products. In a joint statement with the school district, county law enforcement said that the case “underscores the serious risks associated with vaping, particularly among youth.” Social media users expressed concern about how children are accessing these products and discussed the risks of buying laced products. Some posts questioned if commercially available marijuana products were at risk of being laced with other substances, while others urged people to only buy marijuana and vaping products from regulated shops instead of off the street.

Social media users continued to discuss reports that overdose deaths are declining, with all 50 states showing reductions in fentanyl deaths. Commenters discussed the cause of the decline and debated whether harm reduction is more successful than harsher drug laws and drug abstinence initiatives. Some posters speculated that fewer people use drugs now due to high death rates, that new border and tariff policies are working, that inflation and stagnant wages have made drugs less affordable, that the public is more aware of the risks, and that naloxone has become more available. Others claimed without evidence that previous data of overdose deaths was inflated. Commenters expressed mixed feelings about federal funding cuts to harm reduction and substance use disorder services and how they may impact the declining overdose death rates. 

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Recommendations for public health professionals

Each week, the Infodemiology.com team will provide messaging recommendations in response to some of the trending narratives outlined above. These helpful tips can be used when creating content, updating web and FAQ pages, and developing strategy for messaging about opioids.

Reports about fentanyl-laced vaping products provide public health communicators the opportunity to explain the risks of vaping and provide information about the safe use of vaping products. Communicators may also wish to clarify that many anecdotal reports about fentanyl-laced marijuana products have been found to be false and that the risk of encountering fentanyl-laced marijuana is low.

Conversations about fentanyl and overdose deaths are persistent. Communicators may continue to explain that, although fentanyl deaths are declining, the drug is a potent opioid that has been linked to many overdose deaths in the U.S. Communicators may also want to outline the signs of an opioid overdose, explain where to access naloxone—which can reverse an opioid overdose—and provide instructions to use it. Messaging may explain what harm reduction is and how it helps reduce overdose deaths. Sharing resources for families dealing with SUD is recommended, including local harm reduction centers, recovery groups, drug treatment centers, and SAMHSA’s National Helpline.