Townhall has previously reported how fentanyl has devastated communities across the country. In Texas, a new law signed by GOP Gov. Greg Abbott would allow for people who manufacture or distribute fentanyl illegally to be prosecuted for murder. And, schools will be required to provide students with fentanyl abuse prevention lessons.
However, a public health department in one state is encouraging children to use drugs “safely,” including fentanyl.
The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department’s (TPCHD) newest campaign warns children about the dangers of fentanyl while encouraging them to use it in a “safer” way, according to 770 KTTH.
According to the outlet, the campaign, which began late last month, has been spread across many social media outlets, including TikTok. The campaign uses a “harm reduction” strategy to “help youth to stay safer if they decide to use drugs” (via 770 KTTH):
Harm reduction is a far-left strategy that offers tips on how to continue to use drugs, while mitigating some of the risk. It’s the strategy behind handing out clean needles and crack pipes. But should TPCHD teach children how to take fentanyl?
TPCHD reports overdoses are the second leading cause of injury deaths amongst 15-to-24-year-old people.
Citing fentanyl, the department says more than 60 young people under 24 suffered fatal overdoses in Pierce County between 2020 and 2022. You’d think this would be enough to put funding solely into messaging steering youth away from fentanyl and other illicit drug abuse.
Instead, they’re telling youth to use fentanyl test strips, carry naloxone (a drug that can reverse opioid overdoses), and to avoid using alone. On the TPCHD website, youth are told fentanyl is dangerous, but not with a goal to stop using. It’s because, “Once you have the facts, you’ll know why you need to stay safer—and how to do it.”
New: A Public Health Department says its newest campaign warns kids about the dangers of fentanyl.
— Jason Rantz on KTTH Radio (@jasonrantz) September 25, 2023
But the campaign ends up encouraging kids to use fentanyl in a “safer” way. It’s dangerous and will only make the crisis worse. https://t.co/hVhcogf3nj
Why is a public health agency giving tips to youth on how to use fentanyl? https://t.co/hVhcogf3nj
— Jason Rantz on KTTH Radio (@jasonrantz) September 25, 2023
The TPCHD website claims that “harm reduction” is “a tried and true public health tool” (via TPCHD):
It’s never safe for youth to use illicit drugs. But unfortunately, we know some do—and in the age of fentanyl, far too many of them overdose.
That’s why our campaigns and website offer ways youth can stay safer if they use drugs. In public health, we call it harm reduction.
We make sure youth know it’s only safe to use drugs prescribed by your doctor. We also help them understand they can stay safer when they:
Use test strips.
Carry naloxone.
Don’t use alone.
Or, best of all, don’t use in the first place.
Elizabeth Allen, the department’s health policy coordinator, told Fox 13 that teaching kids to “safely” use fentanyl is part of their effort to “crack down” on it.
"If you do misuse, do not misuse alone. Encourage people to carry Naloxone with them. Encourage people to use fentanyl test strips, and encourage people to call 911 if they see an overdose whether they know the person or not," Allen told the outlet.