Page Content Deadly Threats to Young Americans: The Fentanyl Crisis and Violent Crime Northern District of Texas U.S. Attorney, Leigha Simonton Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024, 10-11 a.m. at El Centro Campus El Centro Performance Hall, Building C, C130 Register to Attend Northern District of Texas U.S. Attorney, Leigha Simonton will visit Dallas College Feb. 20 to discuss the fentanyl crisis and other crimes that severely impact young adults in North Texas. Dallas College launched its own “Fentanyl: One Pill Can Kill” campaign last year to bring awareness to this danger, which is now the leading cause of death for people aged 18-45 in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This event is free and open to the public. Simonton will host a panel and take questions from the audience. About Leigha Simonton: Simonton is a native Texan who graduated from Berkner High School in Richardson and University of Texas at Austin. She received her law degree from Yale University School of Law. In November 2022, President Joe Biden nominated her to serve as a U.S. Attorney. She was confirmed by the U.S. Senate the following month. CDC: Protect yourself from the dangers of fentanyl Fentanyl Facts Fentanyl poisoning is the leading cause of death for people aged 18 - 45 in the United States (CDC). Fentanyl is 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine (National Fentanyl Awareness Day). More than 1,500 under the age of 20 died from fentanyl in 2021, four times as many deaths than 2018 (DEA). Six out of every 10 pills that contain Fentanyl can lead to potentially lethal dose (DEA). Over 150 people die every day from overdoses related to synthetic opioids like fentanyl (CDC). One overdose death every five minutes (National Fentanyl Awareness Day). Signs of Overdose: Slow or shallow breathing Slow heartbeat Severe sleepiness Cold, clammy skin Trouble walking or talking Feeling faint, dizzy, or confused Unresponsiveness What to do if you think someone is overdosing: On campus call 972-860-4290. Off campus call 911. Administer Naloxone or Narcan, if available. Try to keep the person awake and breathing. Lay the person on their side to prevent choking. Stay with them until emergency workers arrive. Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Drug Enforcement Administration, Office of the Texas Governor. Two milligrams of fentanyl can kill a person. Different forms of fentanyl to look out for - blue pills, colorful pills, bag of powder. Can you tell which pill is real vs. fake? Synthetic drugs often mix multiple opioids, including fentanyl, to make them more appealing to buyers. There is no way to know what is in synthetic drugs. White pill on the left is pure fentanyl. Yellow pill on the right is synthetic/impure. White pill on the left is pure Xanax. Yellow pill on the right is synthetic Xanax. Both blue pills are fake oxycodone, laced with fentanyl. Emoji Drug Code: Decoded Fake Prescription Drugs Dealer Signals Other Drugs Source: Drug Enforcement Administration, Emoji Drug Code Decoded (PDF - 5.8MB) Fentanyl Awareness at Dallas College Inaugural fentanyl workshop at Brookhaven Campus. Students join to learn about fentanyl at Eastfield in the Hive. Health promotion coordinators educating students on Cedar Valley Campus. Student Resources If you or anyone you know is experiencing a campus emergency, call campus police at 972-860-4290. For off-campus emergency, call 9-1-1. Need someone to talk to, contact Counseling & Psychological Services 972-669-6400 ext. 8 Other Resources Find Treatment CDC Fentanyl Facts National Fentanyl Awareness Day DEA One Pill Can Kill Campaign Fight Fentanyl Dallas County Health and Human Services