Heartbroken families reflect on Fentanyl Awareness Day with renewed focus

SHAWNEE, Kan. (KCTV) - One pill can kill.

Tuesday marks the second annual National Fentanyl Awareness Day. According to the CDC, 150 people die from a Fentanyl overdose every day. The numbers are just as alarming in the Kansas City area, but in particular with teens.

In Johnson County, Kansas, opioid and fentanyl use among teens and young adults continues to rise. In 2020, only 7.5% of teens entering treatment at Johnson County Mental Health Center’s Adolescent Center for Treatment reported using opioids. The number has risen sharply ever since to 18% in 2021, 35% in 2022 and now over 50% in 2023.

In March, Johnson County’s Prevention and Recovery Coalition launched “You Never Know”, a digital campaign targeting young people about the rising rates of fentanyl.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid, often illegally made and it’s added to other drugs, like Oxycontin, Percocet, Xanax and Vicodin. It is one of the most common drugs involved in overdose deaths.

“You Never Know” partners with “Keepin Clean for Coop”, the local fentanyl awareness program created by the family of Cooper Davis.

Davis was a Shawnee teen who died of a fentanyl overdose in August 2021. Cooper and three friends split what they thought was a Percocet pill, laced with fentanyl – purchased from a dealer on social media.

His friends survived; Cooper did not.

The Davis family is not alone.

In January of 2023, at just 15 years old, Cruz Burris also died of an accidental overdose. His parents said the drug was purchased on Snapchat, and they believe a dealer delivered the fatal pill to their home while they slept.

Rhonda Burris cautions when it comes to fentanyl or any drug – it’s just not worth it.

“You know for $20, two people are losing their lives. I mean, our son lost his life, the person who sold it to him — his life is gone. He’s going to be sitting in his cell,” said Burris. “I’m speaking to everyone out there. $20 is not worth this. Don’t do the drugs. Dealers, you need to find a job – go find a job and you’re going to make a lot more money than dealing drugs.”

It’s a deadly gamble.

According to “You Never Know”, seven out of 10 fake pills contain deadly amounts of fentanyl.

The campaign also provides important information for teens, young adults, parents, and community members on how to recognize the signs of an overdose, what to do if someone is overdosing and where to get Nalaxone, the medication that can reverse the effects of an overdose.

You can learn more about “You Never Know” and the campaign by visiting here.

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