Opioid Education Video for High School Students

• Transcript

  Last Updated: November 15, 2025

  Hey there, everyone! I’m SUPE, and today, we’re delving into a critical topic that affects us all: opioids. These substances have contributed significantly to a global overdose epidemic, particularly here in the United States. We’ll take an in-depth look at one of the most dangerous opioids—Fentanyl—and discuss how you can protect yourself and others from its devastating impact.

  First off, what exactly are opioids? Opioids are a class of drugs derived either from the opium poppy plant or synthesized in laboratories. They are commonly prescribed to manage severe pain—after surgery, injury, or for chronic pain conditions. They’re designed to interact with opioid receptors in your brain to block pain signals and can also create a sense of euphoria in some people. While opioids can be incredibly effective, they also come with significant risks. Misuse, whether intentional or accidental, can lead to dependence, overdose, and even death. You should also be aware of potential side effects, including:

  • drowsiness,
  • relaxation,
  • euphoria,
  • nausea,
  • vomiting,
  • constipation,
  • slowed breathing, which can result in hypoxia—a dangerous drop in oxygen level.

  These are serious symptoms that underscore the importance of careful opioid management.

  Now it’s important to talk about Fentanyl, undoubtably the deadliest of all opioids. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. It is this level of potency that makes it so dangerous. Look at the picture. This is the amount of fentanyl required to kill you. This explain why a major percentage of overdose deaths in the US and Canada are due to counterfeit Fentanyl. Nowadays, buying drugs or pills on the street is a game of Russian Roulette. From Xanax to cocaine, drugs or counterfeit pills purchased illegally may contain life-threatening amounts of Fentanyl.

  Now let’s look at tolerance and dependence. Drug tolerance is common for people who take a specific drug for a certain amount of time. It occurs when someone’s body or brain no longer responds to a prescription or recreational drug in the same way it once did. Tolerance does not mean someone is addicted. In many cases, tolerance happens when someone has been taking a particular drug for an extended period. The receptors or enzymes in their brain and body are less activated by the drug, so it’s not as effective. That means that to experience the same effects they initially did, they need to increase their dosage.

  When it comes to dependence or addiction to opioids, we are talking about someone being unable to control their use of opioids for physical and/or psychological reasons. It’s crucial to understand that dependence can develop rapidly. Researchers have found that the odds you’ll still be using opioids a year after starting increases after only five days on opioids. And long-term opioid use can easily lead to physical dependence and addiction.

  Let’s look at an example to illustrate how tolerance and dependence can occur when taking opioids. Picture Joe, a student-athlete who breaks his knee during a game. After surgery, he’s in considerable pain, so he’s prescribed an opioid to help manage it. After a few days, his body begins to tolerate the medication. It’s important to note that Joe never misused his medication, he takes it as prescribed, and that this tolerance happens on a biological level and does not mean Joe did anything wrong. Now at this point, if Joe starts taking more medication without consulting his doctor, that could become a slippery slope. Here are some of the signs that could indicate that Joe has now become addicted to his opioid medication:

  • He continues to take his opioid medication when he doesn’t physically need it anymore.
  • Joe starts thinking about the drug constantly, whether it’s about taking it, how to acquire more of it, etc.
  • He starts hiding the fact that he’s taking the drugs from his family and friends. He might even start lying to people, including his doctor about how often and how much he’s taking in order to get more medication.
  • He starts losing interest in school or work and the sport he used to enjoy before.
  • If he skips a dose, he starts getting some serious withdrawal symptoms.

   

  Having said all that, let’s now go over strategies for prevention:

  • If you need medication to manage acute pain, discuss with your doctor about the possibility of using non-opioid medication.
  • If you are being prescribed opioids, work with your doctor to take the lowest dose possible, for the shortest time needed, and take it exactly as prescribed. Opioids are the safest when used for three or fewer days.
  • If you are prescribed any other medication while on opioids, let your doctor know.
  • Make sure opioids are in a safe place, and unused opioids are disposed of properly.
  • Be aware of the signs of tolerance and addiction. If you notice that your medication isn’t as effective as it once was, speak with your doctor. Do not up your dosage on your own.
  • Avoid alcohol and street drugs. Combining opioids with alcohol, marijuana, or street drugs can cause severe harm or death.
  • It’s a good practice to keep Naloxone at home if you’re taking opioids. Naloxone is the medicine used to rapidly reverse an opioid overdose. Make sure your family and friends are aware of it so they can help in the event of an overdose.
  • Use caution when driving or operating machinery. Sleepiness and confusion are common side effects of opioids. Don’t drive or operate machinery if you feel sleepy or confused. Alcohol and other sedating medicines can increase these symptoms.

   

  For these last ones I’m about to give you, I know many of you might already be aware of them, but they are important enough to bear repeating, especially when it comes to your health and safety:

  • Don’t buy counterfeit pills, there is no way for you to know what’s in them.
  • Don’t take medicines prescribed for someone else and don’t give away or sell your medicines. When medication is prescribed, the medication and dosage is chosen with the patient in mind and so may not be suitable for someone else and could be dangerous. It’s also important to know that it is illegal under Federal and State law to share prescription medication when it’s a controlled substance like opioids.

   

  That’s all I’ve got for this one, it’s my sincere hope that this video helped clarify a few things about opioids and can help you make informed decisions. Thank you all for taking the time to watch this video. Your attention to these important topics makes a difference. Stay safe and live a drug-free life!

  Sources: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/prescription-drug-abuse/expert-answers/what-are-opioids/faq-20381270
  https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/opioids
  https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/prescription-drug-abuse/in-depth/how-opioid-addiction-occurs/art-20360372
  https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/drug-tolerance#what-is-it
  https://www.umassmed.edu/news/news-archives/2022/05/what-is-fentanyl-and-why-is-it-behind-the-deadly-surge-in-us-drug-overdoses/
  https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/opioids#:~:text=Symptoms%20of%20opioid%20use%20include,risk%20of%20overdose%20and%20death.

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