'It really opened my eyes': High school students learn the dangers of fentanyl

Police and other first responders on P.E.I., are taking their message about the dangers of fentanyl to the classroom, speaking withhigh school students, hoping to educate them about the dangers of fentanyl, which can be lethal in very small doses.

• 'Education, conversation and dialogue': Kensington Police call attention to dangers of fentanyl

"Instead of just having a handout giving it to kids, say don't do drugs and walk away, this is a drug of 2017, it's affecting Canada right now so why not go right into the class have a chat with them a question and answer," said Const. Robb Hartland of the Kensington Police Service.

"If you have some questions, let's do our best to answer them."

The special class included presentations from Const. Glenn Dudleyof theRCMP and Advanced Care Paramedic Ryan O'Mearaof Island EMS.

Students had many questions, both in Kensington and live on Facebook.

"It's not something you hear locally in terms of fentanyl, you don't hear a lot of it around here," said student Bailey Clark.

"But, with the information that they gave, it really opened my eyes and it was astounding the details they gave how little it can take to kill you."

'People aren't aware of the effects'

"It's scary to think that something like that can be so powerful, and I think, especially in our school and in our community, a lot of people aren't aware of the effects of it, and it's really good to know this information before it happens to someone," added student Abby Donald.

"I think it is probably one of the most important things I can think of right now to actually talk about, just because how little it takes to kill you and how many people are being affected," shared student RJ O'Connor.

The presentations were done deliberately with a small group so the students feltmore comfortable.

"That's a key thing for not only the police officer to present information, but also for students to respond and ask questions because as the police said, we as students as young people are going to encounter this drug first before they do," Bailey Clark said.

'We build that bridge'

Hartlan said he hopes to have the opportunity to speak with more students.

"If we can create a means for families to talk, we'll build that bridge because there are a lot of people who say how do I talk to my kid about fentanyl?" Hartlan explained.

"I don't know about fentanyl. I know that there's weed out there, I know there's pills out there, not a problem. Jump online, watch the Facebook post, get some information. Sit down and watch it together, watch it independently on your phone, but the information is there, so it creates that bridge."

"The more the information, the more you know, the better equipped you're going to be."

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