Sapulpa Students Learn About Hidden Dangers Of Fentanyl

Talking to high school students about drug abuse is a hard task, but the group Families Supporting Families is trying their best to make a positive impact on the lives of Oklahoma students.

Thursday, December 7th 2023, 6:22 pm

By: Matt Rahn

Students in Sapulpa are learning more about the hidden dangers of Fentanyl from a group of mothers who have lost children to drug abuse.

The presentation is part of a push to reach as many students in Oklahoma as possible.

Talking to high school students about drug abuse is a hard task, but the group Families Supporting Families is trying their best to make a positive impact on the lives of Oklahoma students.

Telling the story of a lost loved one can be painful, especially when their death could have been prevented.

"I'm not gonna say it doesn't bother me anymore; it's still difficult, but I feel that I have to turn my pain into purpose if I'm gonna help anybody else, and that's my driving force," said Diane Searle.

She lost her daughter Jillian to drugs in 2018, and in her search to find comfort, she created Families Supporting Families.

"We're a great support system for people who have lost someone to substance abuse disorder and fentanyl poisoning," she said.

They talk to students across Oklahoma about the dangers of drug use, especially now that many illicit drugs are laced with deadly doses of Fentanyl.

"It's taking moms like this to come into schools like we have here to tell this message," said Tulsa County DA Steve Kunzweiler.

He says the problem with Fentanyl should be treated with more urgency but says not every school in Tulsa County is receptive to hosting presentations like this.

"Allow this group to come in and tell your kids what's going on, that's scary, that's scary, that we can't get that message to your kids," says Kunzweiler.

The goal of both Kunzweiler and today's speakers is simple: to stop making posters of people who have lost their lives to fentanyl.

Families Supporting Families wants people to know that their presentations are free. For more information on how to bring the group to your school, email OKDIHAWARENESS@gmail.com. You can also find them on Facebook at Families Supporting Families in this Drug Crisis in Oklahoma.