Skip to Main Content

Search Our Site

Olathe Public Schools

Their Future is Our Future

Beware the Dangers of Fentanyl

Facing Fentanyl OPS 233 is a vital initiative aimed at empowering our school community through education about the dangers of fentanyl. A powerful and deadly synthetic opioid 100 times stronger than morphine, fentanyl has become the leading cause of death in young people ages 15-20. According to recent data, Kansas leads the nation in overdose deaths per capita as of October 2023, making it more important than ever to raise awareness and provide education about its devastating effects. Thanks to a grant awarded to our school district from the 2024 Continuum of Care Fund, Olathe Public Schools is leading the way in fentanyl education. Through our Facing Fentanyl OPS 233 campaign, we strive to provide resources, information, and support to help combat the fentanyl crisis and keep our school community safe. Join us in facing fentanyl head-on and together, we will make a difference.

Our Motto

Empowering our school community with knowledge on the dangers of fentanyl.

Our Mission Statement

Our school district is committed to raising awareness about the dangers of fentanyl and the devastating impact it can have on individuals and communities. We aim to educate students, parents, and staff about the dangers of fentanyl use through our “Facing Fentanyl” campaign and resources. By promoting prevention, education, and support services, we strive to create a safe and drug-free environment for all members of our school community. Together, we can work to prevent fentanyl-related harm and protect the well-being of our students.

Resources for Other Districts

The district's Fentanyl Prevention Education Initiative is designed to equip schools with the tools and knowledge to address the fentanyl crisis head on. Our initiative provides schools with vital resources, curricula and support to foster awareness and prevention efforts. We invite other school districts to learn how they can adopt this initiative in their communities. Please email Matt Johnson for more resources or questions about the Olathe Public Schools efforts to combat youth drug use.

Raising the Awareness of Fentanyl Use

What We're Doing in Olathe
Olathe Public Schools' fentanyl awareness campaign — Facing Fentanyl — launched May 7, 2024 which was also National Fentanyl Awareness Day. Each of the five high schools will participate in spreading awareness about the fentanyl crisis by hosting many community partners during lunch. Attendees will include Olathe Fire Department, Johnson County Mental Health, First Call, the district's Department of Community Engagement, City Council members Letta Felter and Matthew Schoonover and our own campaign volunteers. Together, well will empower our school community with valuable information and resources about the fentanyl epidemic.

Our district is committed to raising awareness about the dangers of fentanyl and providing resources to students, parents, and staff to keep our school community informed and safe.

In the coming months, our district will be committed to:
- Education and Prevention: We will implement age-appropriate education on fentanyl and substance use in our community. We want to ensure that our students have the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about the effects of drug use.
- Parent Education: We will provide information for parents on how we can change the conversations we have with our children about drugs, as well as how they can access support services and resources.
- Community Outreach: Fighting the fentanyl epidemic is the definition of “it takes a village.” We have partnered with many local organizations and plan to host community forums and events focused on fentanyl awareness. These events will provide information on the signs of fentanyl use, how to support someone struggling with substance use, and where to find help.
Online Resources for Families
- Visit the Song for Charlie website dedicated to raising awareness about "fentapills" (fake pills made of fentanyl). The national non-profit charity partners with experts, educators, parents and influencers to reach young people and change the conversation about the current landscape for drug use.
- Cottonwood Springs in Olathe offers mental health and substance-use treatment for children and adolescents, ages 10-17. They offer full or half-day programs delivered by experienced, licensed therapists, with time for academic work. A confidential conversation with a behavioral health professional will determine the plan of care. Please visit the Cottonwood Springs website or call 913-717-4300 for more information.
- Reducing the impact of alcohol, drugs and addiction is the mission of First Call. Visit the First Call website for help for anyone impacted by substance abuse. Among the services are prevention and outreach, harm reduction, recovery, re-entry, and family services. The demand for substance use disorder services in greater Kansas City far exceeds available resources. In a recent year, First Call served more than 11,500 individuals regardless of their ability to pay for services.
- Visit the Keepin' Clean for Coop website created to educate people about the dangers of fentanyl and fake pills.
- The Crossroads Program offers an enthusiastic sobriety program for young people and their parents. Visit their website to learn more about the Kansas City Alcohol and Drug Rehab Treatment Center located in Jackson County, Missouri.
- You Never Know is a website collaboration between the Johnson County Mental Health Department, Keepin' Clean for Coop and Johnson County Prevention and Recovery Coalition. Visit the You Never Know site to learn about fake pills and the dangers of fentanyl.
- DCCCA provides social and community services that improve the safety, health and well-being of the people it serves. Parents may request naloxone on their website. They also provide a Fentanyl and Opioid Overdose Toolkit (PDF) as a resource.
- The 988 Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers providing free support for individuals in drug-use crises as well as suicide crises. Many resources are available on the 988 Lifeline website.
- The United States Drug Enforcement Administration website offers public safety alerts about fentanyl-laced fake pills. Visit the DEA's One Pill Can Kill webpage to learn more.
- The Recovery Village Kansas City is a physician-led rehabilitation facility offering evidence-based and safe care for drug and alcohol addiction and mental health disorders. It is part of a nationwide network of Advanced Recovery Systems, founded in 2013 to provide care for addictions. The 82-bed facility is a healing-focused environment. Visit the Recovery Village Kansas City website for more information.
Accessing Narcan / Naloxone Resources in Johnson County
The Johnson County Department of Health and Environment provides this list of naloxone distribution sites.
- Central Resource Library (9875 W 87th St., Overland Park KS 66212)
- Cedar Roe Library (5120 Cedar St., Roeland Park KS 66205)
- Gardner Library (137 E Shawnee St., Gardner KS 66030)
- Lenexa City Center Library (8778 Penrose Ln., Lenexa KS 66219)
- Merriam Plaza Library (6120 Slater St., Merriam KS 66202)
- Oak Park Library (9500 Bluejacket St., Overland Park KS 66214)
- Courts Administration (150 W Santa Fe St., Olathe KS 66061)
- Corrections, Justice Annex (588 E. Santa Fe St., Ste 3000, Olathe KS 66061)
- Johnson County Mental Health (1125 W. Spruce St., Olathe KS 66061)
- Johnson County Mental Health (6440 Nieman Rd., Shawnee KS 66203)
- Johnson County Department of Health and Environment (11875 S. Sunset Dr., Suite 300, Olathe KS 66061)

CLOSE

CLOSE