Tornillo Independent School District

Family Resources

Drug experimentation is riskier than ever before. It is important to discuss the dangers of fentanyl so children will be prepared to make a life-saving decision in a situation that involves drugs. 

Conversation talking points to share with your family:

• Fentanyl has been linked to student deaths in the El Paso County area. The drug market has been flooded with millions of fake prescription pills that are made of fentanyl.

• Assume all pills you get online on Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook or Twitter or from a friend are not safe, and small amounts can be deadly.

• There is no way to test a pill to see if it is real. Do not trust anyone who tells you that “these pills are safe.” No one knows for sure, no matter what they say.

• M-30s are the most common markings on fake pills. Do not take a pill marked M-30.

• If you didn’t get a pill from your doctor, don’t put it in your mouth. It’s not worth the risk!

All students who have been prescribed medication by their doctor must follow Tornillo ISD guidelines for medication administration.

Keep any prescription drugs in your home secure and locked away, out of the reach of others. Approximately 50% of children under the age of 18 who misuse prescription pain medications obtain them from friends or family members (National Survey for Drug Use and Health, 2013)

Prevent misuse and unintentional harm from medications by removing unused medications from your home.

• Take advantage of national take-back days and resources to clean out your medicine cabinets and turn in - safely and anonymously - unused or expired prescription drugs. 
• Walgreens also offers medication disposal locations.

Stay Involved

• Speak up.  If you have a tip, please submit it online at Crime Stoppers of El Paso or call 915-566-TIPS (8477).

Using Campus Crime Stoppers allows you to remain completely anonymous. You will never be asked for your name and every call is 100 percent confidential.

• Reporting Drug Dealers found on Social Media

Additional Resources

• Texas High School Coaches Association & Coaches Education Foundation (THSCA) Prevention Playbook 
• Get Smart about Drugs
  A DEA resource for Parents, Educators and Caregivers 
• Song for Charlie - Real Talk about Fake Pills
• Forever15 Project

Must - See Videos

• Fentapills - You Need to Know
• What is fentanyl? 
• What is a Fentapill?
• Why are there so many Fentapills?
• What can we do about Fentapills?
• Protect yourself from the dangers of fentanyl - CDC
• A family’s fatal fentanyl message: Fake and Fatal: Cal’s Story
• Noah's Story: A Fentanyl Victim

Hays CISD Fighting Fentanyl Video Series

• Episode 1, Part 1
• Episode 1, Part 2 
• Episode 1, Part 3
• Episode 2, Part 1

Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA)

• One Pill Can Kill Fact Sheet (PDF)
• What Every Parent and Caregiver Needs to Know about Fake Pills (PDF)
• Emoji Drug Code Decoded (PDF)
• Fake Pills Fact Card (PDF)
• Prescription for Disaster: How Teens Misuse Medicine (Booklet)
• Parent Toolkit (PDF) -  parents can join the conversation with this family discussion starter. Additional information on the warning signs of prescription opioid misuse and a guide to prevention and intervention empower families to reach out.

Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC)

• Facts about Fentanyl (PDF) 
• Stop Overdose
• Counterfeit Medicines 
• Preventing Overdose