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Teens wonder about the dangers of fentanyl
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More than half of eighth graders said it was not dangerous to experiment with fentanyl
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Even a small amount of the drug can cause an overdose
WEDNESDAY, July 8, 2026 (NewsDay News) — U.S. teenagers are severely underestimating how deadly the synthetic opioid fentanyl can be, a new study suggests.
More than half of American eighth-graders don’t think experimenting with fentanyl is dangerous, researchers reported July 7. JAMA Open Network.
In fact, fentanyl is responsible for at least 3 out of 4 teen overdose deaths, the researchers said.
“The majority of eighth-graders (52%) did not see a significant risk in trying fentanyl once or twice,” wrote the team, which Richard Meichresearch professor at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.
Older teens were more likely to view fentanyl as dangerous, but even in 12th grade, about 30% did not consider it dangerous to try fentanyl once or twice, and 15% did not consider regular use to be dangerous.
“To the extent that increasing adolescent awareness of the dangers of fentanyl is an important tool in overdose prevention, these results suggest that there is room for improvement in this area,” the researchers wrote.
“Warning students that fentanyl can be added to counterfeit medications purported to help with learning or anxiety is likely to have little protective effect among those who do not believe that fentanyl use can have serious health consequences when first used.”
Fentanyl It is 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger morphineaccording to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Because of this, even a small amount can cause an overdose.
For the new study, researchers analyzed data from the 2025 edition of a survey conducted annually by the University of Michigan and funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Future monitoring.
The survey asked eighth-, 10th-, and 12th-grade students about the risk of using fentanyl once or twice, occasionally, or regularly.
Among eighth graders, 48% reported high risk for experimental use, 57% for occasional use, and 66% for regular use.
These responses from students who are at the age when people start testing are “terrifying” Dr. Manassa Haniwho reviewed the findings. He is the director of addiction psychiatry at Northwell Zucker Hillside and South Oaks hospitals in New York.
“Even trying fentanyl once or twice is poison. Think of it as rat poison where a kid tries once or twice and thinks it’s fine,” Haney said. “It scares me so much.”
Doctors don’t prescribe morphine until they’ve exhausted all painkillers, he added.
“This is a last resort,” Haney said. “In short, fentanyl is an extremely powerful and powerful drug that increases the effects of morphine up to 100 times.”
High school students seem to have a better, but not complete, understanding of the potency of fentanyl:
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Among 10th graders, 64% reported high risk for experimental use, 72% for occasional use, and 77% for regular use.
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Among 12th graders, 70% considered experimental use, 79% occasional use, and 85% regular use unsafe.
“While the level of perceived risk increased steadily across the three grades, even in 12th grade, 30.2% did not consider it a great risk for one or two occasions of fentanyl use, and 15.2% did not consider it a great risk for regular use,” the research team wrote.
This lack of awareness about the dangers of fentanyl causes kids to let their guard down when they hear about the drug, Haney said. They already tend to smoke a couple of weed or a few beers, he noted.
“It doesn’t work that way with fentanyl. It’s poison. When you use it, think of it as cyanide. You’re going to die. A teenager has a very limited chance of survival,” Haney said.
He suggests using clear messages on social media to spread the word about the dangers of fentanyl.
“If you put it on TikTok or a little video on Instagram, just to raise awareness, it’s a simple, direct, short, straight-to-the-point video,” Hani said.
More information
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more information fentanyl.
SOURCES: JAMA Open NetworkJuly 7, 2026; Dr. Manassa Haney, director of addiction psychiatry, Northwell Zucker Hillside and South Oaks Hospitals
What does this mean for you?
Parents should make sure their teens understand the dangers of using fentanyl.
