The Fentanyl Crisis in Cowlitz County: Why Silence is Our Biggest Risk

The Dangerous Reason We Aren't Talking to Our Kids About Fentanyl

As a parent raising kids in Cowlitz County, I feel it. You probably feel it, too.

By Chuck Hendrickson | Founder and Executive Director, Love Overwhelming

The Dangerous Reason We Aren't Talking...

You are not a counselor. You are not a drug educator. You are a parent in Cowlitz County.

Whether you live in Longview, Kelso, Castle Rock, or Woodland, the fentanyl crisis isn't happening "somewhere else" anymore. It is right here. It moves quietly through our kids' Snapchats, WhatsApp group chats, and friend circles.

But there is a dangerous trend happening in our own homes.

Why are so many of us staying perfectly silent about the one thing that could save our kids' lives?

The Silence That "Feels Safe"

We think staying quiet is protective. We are afraid of saying the wrong thing. We worry that bringing up pills will somehow "plant the idea" in their heads or push them away.

I know a dad in Castle Rock who sat at his kitchen table after hearing about another overdose in Longview. He wanted to ask his teen about it. But he worried it would start a fight. The conversation never happened.

We stay quiet to avoid conflict. Our kids stay quiet because they aren't sure it's safe to be honest with us.

But while we are being quiet, counterfeit pills are circulating through Cowlitz County. They are pressed to look exactly like real prescription anxiety meds, ADHD pills, or painkillers. Our teens think they are taking a standard pill. They don't know it's laced with fentanyl.

Silence doesn't protect our relationship. Silence just leaves space for risk.

How to Start the Conversation Now! 

Start with curiosity, not accusation.

I realized recently that I don't need a counseling degree to prevent an overdose. Neither do you. We just need connection and a clear plan.

Here is exactly how to start the conversation with your teen (without the eye-rolls):

1. Be curious, not accusatory. Your goal isn't to catch them in a lie; your goal is to build a bridge.

• "What are you hearing at school about these fake pills?"

• "If someone stopped breathing at a party, what would you do?" Then, just listen. Don't interrupt. Don't lecture.

2. Share the facts, skip the panic. Keep it simple: Fake pills look completely real. Fentanyl is in them. A speck can stop your breathing. Make sure they know about Washington State’s Good Samaritan Law, it legally protects anyone who calls 911 to report an overdose. No one should ever hesitate to make that call.

3. Say the sentence that changes everything. End the conversation with this exact phrase:

"Call me. Every time. No matter what."

That sentence lowers the temperature. It builds trust. It changes what your teen does in the split-second moment when it actually counts.

Why I Keep Narcan in My House (And Why You Should, Too)

Having Naloxone (Narcan) in your medicine cabinet does not mean you expect your teen to use drugs. It means you are living in the reality of Southwest Washington.

Preparation removes panic. Narcan safely reverses an opioid overdose by restoring breathing. It is legal, requires no prescription, and is easy to use.

Know the signs of an overdose:

• Slow or stopped breathing

• Blue lips or fingertips

• Unresponsive to voice or touch

• Gurgling or choking sounds

If you see this: Call 911 immediately, use the Narcan, and stay with them.

Build a Family Overdose Safety Plan

Ask your teen directly: if you were somewhere and someone stopped breathing, what would you do?

Make sure they know where naloxone is kept in your home, that calling 911 is protected under Washington's Good Samaritan law, and that you will show up without judgment. Every time.

A family overdose safety plan in Cowlitz County is not about fear. It is about clarity. 

Connection is Prevention

Families in our community have experienced both endings: The phone call no parent ever wants to receive, and the quiet kitchen-table conversation that prevented it.

The difference is rarely professional expertise. It is connection.

The families who are talking about fentanyl are the families who are safer. Not because they are perfect parents, but because they are connected. We don't have to figure this out alone, and we don't have to be experts. We just have to be willing to speak first.

Don't do this alone. Love Overwhelming serves families in Longview, Kelso, and across Cowlitz County. To find free naloxone training near you or download a parent conversation guide, visit www.loveoverwhelming.org