The Parish Council proclaimed Tuesday, May 9, Fentanyl Awareness Day in Livingston Parish. Student members of Livingston Parish SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) are raising awareness for what the DEA has announced as the worst drug epidemic our country has ever faced. Livingston Parish is no different from any other community battling this crisis at exponential rates. According to the Livingston Parish Coroner's Office, over 80% of the overdose deaths in Livingston Parish last year alone were attributable to fentanyl.

Here are the facts:

• Fentanyl is an FDA-approved synthetic opioid intended for patients experiencing the most severe pain; however, it's not being used as intended.

• Fentanyl is being illegally mixed with other illicit drugs to increase its potency; however, only 2 milligrams is considered lethal.

• Two milligrams of fentanyl is comparable to the size of the tip of a pencil.

• Many drugs are cut with fentanyl, including heroin, meth, and cocaine, drastically increasing the threat of fatal interaction.

• Fentanyl is the cheapest drug to make and the most lethal. It's 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine.

• The DEA has identified two drug cartels (Sinaloa and Jalisco) responsible for the mass production of fentanyl-laced fake prescription pills infiltrating our country from Mexico.

Our community must understand the dangers of this drug, especially young people. Fentanyl is involved in more deaths of Americans under 50 than any cause of death, including heart disease, cancer, homicide, suicide, and other accidents.