Talking Openly About Opioids and Addiction: A Guide for Families, Schools, and Communities

As a doctor, and as someone who grew up with an addicted parent, I’ve seen firsthand how silence around addiction harms families and communities. Open, honest dialogue is essential for both prevention and healing. Here’s how I approach conversations about substance use, prevention, and opioid use disorder in schools, communities, and my own family—and how you might do the same.

Although teen drug use has declined in recent years, overdose deaths have skyrocketed. The U.S. now loses the equivalent of a classroom full of teens (ages 14–18) every week to illicit fentanyl poisoning.¹ It’s time we empower them to fight back—with knowledge and skills.

Start with honesty and empathy

One of the most powerful lessons I’ve learned is that secrets and silence cause more harm than good. Growing up with an alcoholic parent left me feeling confused and isolated. Now, as a mom, a doctor, and a speaker in schools, I make it my mission to break that cycle.

I explain that addiction is a disease, not a moral failing. It can happen to anyone. Understanding personal risk factors, whether from genetics, environment, or personal trauma, helps us make choices that protect our future rather than derail it.

Keep the conversation age-appropriate

I start by teaching how a healthy body works: how the brain, heart, and lungs function when free from substances. I use interactive talks, visuals, and time for questions to make the discussion engaging.

From there, I introduce how substances like opioids disrupt this balance. My language evolves with each age group. With younger children, I might say, “Some medicines, like certain painkillers, are very strong. They help when you’re hurt, but if they’re not used the right way, they can be dangerous.” By gradually increasing complexity, I help students understand risks without fear-based myths.

Share your personal story, when appropriate

Stories make an impact. I share my experience growing up in a family affected by addiction and the heartbreaking loss of a close friend to an opioid overdose.

I share a slide that says, "ADDICTION doesn’t care how (blank) you are." Students fill in the blank: popular, athletic, smart, wealthy. Because addiction can impact anybody. If kids think, "It won’t happen to me," they won’t recognize warning signs when they appear.

Highlight the science behind addiction

Many myths about opioid use come from misunderstanding the science. I explain that opioids bind to brain receptors to relieve pain, but they also trigger euphoria. Over time, this rewires the brain, leading to dependence. I tell students:

“If that first pain pill feels like the answer to all of your problems, be careful. That’s a major red flag.”

Many addictions start that way, and recognizing early signs can prevent lifelong struggles.

Emphasize prevention and safe practices

Prevention starts with education. I stress:

• Follow prescriptions exactly as directed.
• Understand today’s drug risks—counterfeit pills and fentanyl contamination in non-opioid drugs.²
• Know that many teens who die from opioid overdoses never even knew they were taking opioids.¹

Many think “just one time” is safe, but with today’s drug landscape, one counterfeit pill can be lethal. I compare substance use to musical chairs; when the music stops, someone is left without a chair. Will it be you?

Foster open communication

In my talks, I normalize open conversations, whether at dinner, in classrooms, or during community gatherings. I tell students, “There are no dumb questions, and there are no taboo topics.” If kids know they can ask anything without judgment, they’re more likely to seek help when they need it.

Address stigma and encourage compassion

Stigma keeps people from asking for help. Many struggling with opioid use disorder feel ashamed, preventing them from getting treatment. I stress that addiction is treatable, and no one should be defined by their struggles. When we replace judgment with compassion, we make it safer for those suffering in silence to step forward.

Provide resources and support

Not every student in the audience is abstinent. Some are experimenting with substances. They need to know:

• 2 out of 3 teens who die from an opioid overdose had a bystander present. This is preventable. YOU CAN SAVE A LIFE!¹
• Good Samaritan laws protect them when calling 911 for an overdose.³
• How to recognize and respond to an overdose. I teach actionable steps that could save a friend’s life:
• Know the signs—blue lips, slow breathing, unresponsiveness.
• Call 911 immediately.
• Use Narcan (naloxone) if available.
• Never leave a friend alone.

I show a picture of my beautiful friend who was left alone to die by panicked “friends.” She deserved better. So do the kids sitting in my audience. Let’s fight back.

Final thoughts

By talking about opioids, prevention, and addiction honestly, we break the cycle of silence and stigma. These conversations save lives. Let’s keep educating, supporting, and empowering our families, schools, and communities—one conversation at a time.