The Fentanyl Pandemic: Causes, Repercussions & Possible Solutions

Fentanyl has become a problem nationwide as well as in Hernando County. For those who aren’t aware, fentanyl is a synthetic opioid fifty times stronger than heroin and one hundred times stronger than morphine. Fentanyl overdose is the number one cause of death in Americans ages 18-45 and is involved in more deaths of Americans under 50 than any cause of death, including heart disease, cancer, homicide, and suicide. Because of fentanyl’s potency, a drug dealer can use a small amount to make many drugs, including fake prescription medications, and the dosage can vary. Recently, nine young people died of overdoses within a short period of time due to using the drug at a party.

Because of this fentanyl “pandemic,” as the Reverend Doctor Emery Ailes calls it, he organized a summit on the issue. The forum took place at Pasco Hernando State College (PHSC) on July 16. Participating in the panel discussion were Ronteryl Black, President of Florida A & M University (FAMU) Alumni, Pasco/Hernando chapter; Shauna Kincade, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and Retention Services at PHSC; and De’More Patrick, Public Information Officer for the Hernando County Department of Health.
Also on the panel were Julia Pauls, CEO and Founder of End Recidivism Project; Ayanni Clemetson, President of Hernando County NAACP Youth Council; and Imam Hassan of the Muslim Connection.

Dr. Joe Bohn, Professor of the University of South Florida (USF) College of Public Health sat in on the discussion via Zoom. The keynote speaker was Dr. Rodney Cunningham, Counselor, Author, Speaker and CEO of Chief Empowerment Network.

The fentanyl pandemic encompasses more than just a person wanting to get high or relieve their pain. It is a symptom of deeper issues within our society.

One of the questions addressed was: How can educational institutions better integrate mental health and wellness into their curricula?

Dean Kincade stated that the college talks to the students during their orientation about mental health issues they might face and resources, both on-campus and off-campus, that can help them. However, it’s not generally a part of the curriculum except in those classes that deal directly with the subject.

Ms. Black remarked that having a mental health fair would bring more awareness to the problem. This is something that various agencies and organizations could cooperate on.

Mr. Patrick noted that the younger a person is when they start to abuse drugs, the more likely they are going die or become addicted. Drug pushers lace other drugs with fentanyl, whether it’s marijuana or prescription medications. A Florida medical examiners’ report released a couple of years ago stated that 6,000 Florida residents died of fentanyl overdoses in 2021, making it the most lethal drug across all ages and racial demographics. Just two milligrams of fentanyl can be lethal.

Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Mark Glass states, “The epidemic is exacerbated by counterfeit versions of Adderall, Xanax and other prescription pills. Many victims aren’t even aware that they’re taking fentanyl, and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) lab testing shows that six out of 10 fentanyl-laced fake prescription pills contain a potentially lethal dose of fentanyl.

The good news is that there is a remedy to treat drug overdoses and sometimes prevent death if someone administers Narcan, also known as Naloxone, right after noticing the signs of a drug overdose. It comes in a nasal spray form, so it’s simple to administer and you don’t need to be a healthcare professional.

Plus, you can keep a bottle of Narcan in your car in case you ever encounter an emergency while you’re out driving because Narcan is heat-tolerant up to 90° Fahrenheit. However, you don’t want to keep it under those conditions for too long. It’s vital that you call 911 right away. Narcan is available free of charge from the Spring Hill and Brooksville offices of the health department. Call 352-540-6800 for more information. The Hernando County Health Department has two locations: 7551 Forest Oaks Boulevard, Spring Hill and 300 South Main Street, Brooksville.

Dr. Ailes brought up the idea of having Narcan available on the school and college campuses and other strategic locations.

Ayanni Clemetson, a student at Central High School and president of the Hernando NAACP Youth Council, commented, “I know so many people who are dealing with this [fentanyl use]. It’s affecting our community and our relationship with those people.”

She discussed other issues that affect young people and discussed her goal of setting up a program for girls to gain confidence and belief in themselves instead of being influenced by drugs.

Reverend Ailes agreed that young girls need mentors who can help them transition into womanhood properly “to give them the self-esteem that they may be able to realize that they are beautiful just as they are. When we save a girl, we save a world.”

Dean Kincade talked about how she was part of a group that went into the elementary schools and mentored girls as young as third graders. They also had men in the group who mentored the boys.
“That helps to build self-esteem. It’s going to take young people seeing positive adults serving as role models to make them aware that they are worthy, beautiful, intelligent and powerful,” she remarked.

Reverend Ailes suggested that in August they set up a forum in which professional women can get together with young girls as a way of kicking off this project.

On the topic of mental health, Ms. Black brought up the importance of self-care, especially for people who are very busy, work in a stressful job, or spend a lot of their time caring for other people. Self-care can be taking a walk or relaxing at home.

Ms. Pauls discussed her organization- the End Recidivism Project− and its mission to empower individuals transitioning from incarceration to fully reintegrate into the community. Although recidivism rates have dropped in Florida over the past fifteen years, according to a 2024 report, it’s still shown that there is a 25 percent recidivism rate within three years of a state prisoner’s release.
Ms. Pauls’ program lends assistance in such areas as housing, clothing, and obtaining employment for men and women who have been incarcerated. She believes strongly in the power of a second chance. Her organization also works on diversion among young people so that they don’t fall into criminal life to begin with.

“One of the components we have recently implemented is reaching out to young ladies ages eleven to eighteen, offering life coaching, health and wellness coaching, including mental health coaching.
To find out more about the End Recidivism Project log onto www.erprojectextreme.com or email them at [email protected]. You can also call 727-807-5998.

One of the audience members remarked that although low self-esteem can lead to a young person doing drugs, there could be other factors. The person might be bored and want a sense of adventure by doing something dangerous. They could also be using drugs as a way of rebelling. Fear of being different and wanting to be part of the crowd can also be a factor in someone using drugs.

Some of the ways to counteract these factors is to give young people constructive activities, whether it’s playing basketball, joining Girl Scouts, or being part of a club. Adults and older peers need to show the youth that it’s okay to be different.

Another audience member mentioned that it’s important for our youths, in fact, anyone, to feel unconditional love from the people around them and to have people around them who will listen to them.
Demetri Clemetson, Ayanni‘s mother, is the director of Safe Spaces of Tampa Bay, Inc. Her organization is dedicated to providing a safe and inclusive environment for people with exceptionalities. They do this through recreational activities, social connections and personal growth. These include Occupational and Speech Therapy, parent groups, and respite care for those who are caring for someone with a disability.

To find out more about Safe Spaces of Tampa Bay call 813-421-0530 or log onto www.safespacesoftampabayinc.com. You can also email Ms. Clemetson at [email protected].

Ms. Black commented that one of the best things a parent can do when their children are young is to instill in them that drugs are not only bad for you, but that they’re disgusting, “yucky,” as she stated. Young children can understand that better than preaching to them that taking drugs is wrong.
Ms. Pauls remarked, “We need to instill in our youth a sense of purpose, create a loving environment and provide a sense of community.”

She described that when she was growing up, and many of us can relate to this also: if she did something wrong and her mother wasn’t around, she knew that she’d be disciplined by another adult. And if one of her friends was playing in her yard and misbehaved, her mother would discipline that child.
Dean Kincade agreed and stated, “We have to get out of the mindset that the family begins and ends with the people living within the four walls of our house. When we start treating people like they’re family and treat them with love, we’ll see some of these issues addressed in a healthy way.”

Dr. Cunningham, in his keynote address, discussed some of the issues that almost everyone faces that can lead to psychological harm and, in turn, possibly lead to drug use. One of his main points was how to take emotional pain and turn it into purpose.

He stated that some of this pain can be traced back to our younger years when things happened to us that we could not control. These could be the death of a loved one, the feeling of abandonment when one’s parents divorce, physical or emotional trauma that happened to us or that we witnessed, and rejection−whether by a parent, a spouse or someone else close to us.

The memory and hurt of these events can stay with us long after these events occur. One day, something will happen. It may be something minor, such as someone cutting you off in traffic, or it could be something consequential, like the death of a good friend. Then, these feelings will come to the surface and lead to an angry outburst, depression, anxiety or even a complete mental breakdown.

Dr. Cunningham then spoke about positive ways to cope with this stress. These are spirituality, forgiveness, therapy, purpose and journaling and/or a creative activity. He expanded on each of these methods, but the one he particularly emphasized was forgiveness. “You have to forgive everyone who has ever hurt you in your entire life,” he stated.

On the other side of the coin, we need to ask other people, “Have I ever said or done anything to you that you haven’t gotten over and if I have, I ask you to forgive me?” You don’t offer an excuse of why you did it or said it.

This simple question can lead to a better relationship with that person and will also help them to become more emotionally healthy.

The last person to address the audience was Imam Hassan with the Muslim Connection. This organization partners with LifeLine University, an organization that Dr. Ailes co-founded. Hassan spoke about some of the programs that his organization has to help not just the Muslim community but the entire community. The Muslin Connection is located at 8080 N 56th St., Tampa. Call (813) 310-1807 or email [email protected] for more information.

Here are some important dates to take note of that explore these issues further. For more information email: [email protected]
Every Thursday at 9 a.m.: LifeLine University Zoom meeting
Every Thursday at noon: Veterans’ Zoom meeting
Second Thursday of the month: Mental Health First Aid meeting at the Frederick Kelly Elks Lodge, 510 E. Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr. Blvd., Brooksville

Those at the summit agreed that drug addiction and mental health are not just the province of healthcare professionals. It is everyone’s responsibility and it doesn’t start when a young person reaches adolescence. It begins in the home, the schools, the churches and other community groups.

Signs of a drug overdose:
– Small, constricted “pinpoint pupils”
– Falling asleep or losing consciousness
– Confusion
– Slow, weak, or no breathing
– Nausea and Constipation
– Choking or gurgling sounds
– Cold or clammy skin
– Discolored skin, especially lips and nails
– Limp body