Monterey County health leaders speak on social media dangers with fentanyl

MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. (KION-TV)-  Fentanyl continues to be a nationwide crisis, especially in how the drug is getting out into the community.

Both doctors and police said social media is one of the ways that drugs like fentanyl are getting out there.

At Wednesday’s media briefing, Dr. Casey Grover with the Monterey County Prescribe Safe Initiative said it’s easy to find a dealer because of apps like Instagram or Snapchat. 

Julian Estrada is a teacher in Salinas, and dangerous drugs like fentanyl out on the streets makes him worried for his student’s safety.

“I do teach music,” said Estrada, “seeing my students being exposed to that at young age, it's something huge that we need to keep an eye out. It's something that we're all responsible for.”

Monterey County school leaders said it's important to students early about the dangers of fentanyl.

“Involving the parents and the parent's knowledge is critical,” said Brett McFadden, the Deputy Superintendent with the Monterey County Office of Education.

In 2021, the DEA said it investigated about 80 cases of drug trafficking on social media apps like Facebook, Twitter, and Snapchat. 

“These are being bought and sold as research chemicals which are not as regulated because fentanyl, as your heard, a sugar packet can make 4000 doses,” said Dr. Grover. “A lot of this you can order online, and it arrives in the mail. It’s so small and potent it's easy to smuggle.”

With drugs like fentanyl being sold on social media apps, Estrada said he wants to keep his students stay safe.

“Overhearing students and their conversations, knowing this comes out, make sure to keep an eye out on it,” said Estrada. “When we see something, we need to say something.”

The DEA said fentanyl continues to be the biggest drug threat facing Americans. The agency also adds drug poisonings are the leading killer of people ages 18 to 45.

Last September, the DEA launched the One Pill Can Kill Public Awareness Campaign to teach people about the dangers of fake pills.