We wanted to inform parents about a recent increase in overdoses in King County driven largely by fentanyl found in illicit pills and powders. Here is information from Public Health so you are aware of the danger and have information to discuss with your student:

What is Fentanyl?

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid used medially for severe pain and during surgery. It is a prescription drug and is 50-100 times stronger than morphine that is highly addictive. In King County, fentanyl is most commonly seen in blue, greenish, or pale colored counterfeit pills. There may be other colors. These pills may be marked as “M30” and sometimes as “K9,” “215,” and “v48.” Fentanyl may also be in white powders.

Common signs of overdose or excessive opioid use:

• Won’t wake up or it’s difficult to awaken them

• Have slow or no breathing

• Have pale, ashy, cool skin

• Have blue lips or fingernails

• Abnormal snoring pattern (e.g., unusually loud)

• Extreme drowsiness

What to do if you witness an overdose:

• If you witness an overdose, call 9-1-1 right away. Washington State’s Good Samaritan law will protect you and the person who is overdosing from drug possession charges.

• Give naloxone (Narcan), a nasal spray that counteracts the life-threatening effects of an opioid overdose. Find out where you can get Narcan at stopoverdose.org.

• If you think someone is overdosing, do not them fall back asleep.

If you are worried about a teen and the potential use of opioids, here are some resources:

• https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline

• SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)

• Crisis Connections: 866-427-4747 (crisisconnections.org)

• Tahoma Community Resources

Treatment works

Many different treatment options are available across King County, including medications to treat opioid use disorder. Visit the Washington Recovery Help Line www.WArecoveryhelpline.org or call 1-866-789-7511.  

Opioid Prevention and Response - King County

Don't Hang on to Meds - King County

Safe Storage of drugs and alcohol at home

• Free Summer Gym Membership for Teens at Planet Fitness!
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-723-8255
• National mental health/substance abuse crisis: SAMHSA: 800-622- Help (4357)
• Local suicide, mental health, and substance abuse crisis support:
  • Crisis Connections: 206-477-3977 or 866-427-4747 (24 hours)
• NAMI Teen and Adult Text Line
• Washington Poison Control:  Public Health Outreach, Poison and Overdose Education 
• LGBTQ Youth: Trevor Project: 866-488-7386
• LGBTQ Maple Valley Community Group
• Community Resource List
• NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)
• NAMI Maple Valley Teen Check-In
• Maple Valley Food Bank
• Vine Maple Place (families experiencing homelessness)
• Adult and Youth Homeless Shelters
• http://safecrossingsfoundation.org/ 
• Tahoma School District Peachjar (e-flyers)
• Kinship Groups for families raising a child of a friend or relative
• https://www.gradepotentialtutoring.com/seattle-wa-tutoring
• https://kcls.org/kids-subject/tutoring/
• PCMS Sidekick Mental Health Blog: For Students, By Students
• Strong African American Families Teen Program
• Depression Resource Guide-Columbus Recovery
• Parent Guide to Kids Mental Health - Palmer Lake Recovery

LGBTQ Resources

• Lambert House
• Strong Family Alliance

Firearm Safety

• Be SMART for Kids 
• Be SMART secure storage handout 
• Be SMART Facts and Resources on Child Firearm Suicides 
• King County’s Lock It Up 
• Parenting Support Groups

The Be SMART framework is designed to help parents and adults normalize conversations about gun safety and take responsible actions that can prevent child gun deaths and injuries

• Be SMART for Kids 
• Be SMART secure storage handout 
• Be SMART Facts and Resources on Child Firearm Suicides 
• King County’s Lock It Up 
• Parenting Support Groups

• Webinars for supporting children during times of loss and change
• NACG Booklet for supporting children during times of loss and change
• http://safecrossingsfoundation.org/  - Free grief counseling for adults and children through Province Hospital.
• Wild Grief  Nature Based Programs for families and teens
• Traumatic Events: Help for Families
• Signs and Symptoms of Grieving Children
• Helping Children Cope with Trauma
• Difference Between Child and Adult Grief
• Understand and Help Grieving Children

• https://www.gradepotentialtutoring.com/seattle-wa-tutoring
• https://kcls.org/kids-subject/tutoring/
• THS Academic Support Flyer
• THS Peer Language Tutoring Flyer
• Sylvan Kent Website
• Sylvan Maple Valley Website
• Peer Guide Online Tutoring
• How to reset your password
• Navigating Skyward
• Google Classroom
• How to check grades in Skyward
• 8 tips for talking to your student about bad grades

• Types of eating disorders and resources
• Emily Program Support Program
• Center for Discovery (with free support groups)
• Project Heal
• HAES - Health at Every Size
• Eating Recovery Services
  • ERC - Support Groups
• NEDA statistics and research

• King County Emergency Shelters
• Homeless Youth - Need Help?
• McKinney Vento Brochure - English
• McKinney Vento Brochure - Spanish

• Peer Kent - Parent Support Organization
• SAMHSA Resource Page
• King County Fentanyl Warning
• Fentanyl One-page Resource
• Fire Department Cares Program
• Youth Eastside Services
• Y Social Impact Substance Abuse Services
• Sound Mental Health Substance Abuse Services
• Addiction and Treatment Community Resources