Thursday, March 24, sophomore Ethan Everley of Oak Park High School, took a pill he thought was harmless. Tuesday, March 29, that same student died from said pill. When Everley ingested the pill he was unaware that it was laced with a lethal amount of fentanyl. 

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that, unlike other opioids, is not made straight from the opium poppy plant, but instead is manufactured in a lab. The drug is very dangerous and can be deadly even in small doses. Along with the obvious danger, it is very easy to get addicted to fentanyl, and one single use can turn into a lifetime of abusing the drug. 

While fentanyl does have a few legitimate uses that can be helpful, such as used for the treatment of severe pain after a major surgery or cancer patients, it is definitely not for casual usage, especially for young teenagers, such as Everley. 

Principal Chris McCann stated that Everley took the pill outside of school. Although he may not have been on school grounds when the fentanyl was ingested, it has still affected the school, as his classmates grieve for him. School went on as usual for OPHS, but the eerie feeling of loss is looming throughout the school. 

Fentanyl has posed a threat to the community for quite a while, but recently it seems to have worsened. The Kansas City Police Department reported that in one year, 2019-2020, the KC metro area saw a 149% increase in deaths related to fentanyl overdoses, and young people ranging from 15-24 years old tend to be at the highest risk. 

While it is unknown at this time how Everley came into possession of the lethal pill, the community has to become more aware of what they- and their children- are doing in their free time. Always be sure of what you are taking, and only accept medicine from healthcare professionals or trusted stores. 

You never know, the innocent-looking pill you’re taking could quite possibly be your last. 

Sources: 

FOX4 news

https://fox4kc.com/news/oak-park-student-dies-from-fentanyl-laced-pill/

WIBW news

https://www.wibw.com/2022/03/30/oak-park-high-school-mourns-loss-student-who-died-pill-with-lethal-amount-fentanyl/

October road inc. (health and substance abuse) https://www.octoberroadinc.net/why-is-fentanyl-dangerous/