Duval Co + Lab is a group of local teens from nine area schools that are dedicated to helping raise awareness for better health. They’ve seen friends, influencers, and family members experience substance use disorder that’s led to serious outcomes – even death. They see the nexus between mental health, social determinants, adverse childhood experiences, and pressures created by social media and world events that lead to self-medication or misuse of substances. They want to collaborate upstream to help their peers and entire communities have the best and most current information along with an understanding of resources so everyone can experience health.

Today one pill, laced imperceptibly with a tiny amount of fentanyl, can unknowingly kill the user. These “laced and lethal” pills are pressed by amateur chemists and sold through social media, sometimes posing as legit pharmacies from other countries.

Per the DEA, 42% of pressed pills on the street contain a deadly amount of fentanyl. These are not always, or even often, pills that are posing as opioids or heroin. Instead, the current crisis involves pills that the buyer might believe are a Xanax for anxiety, or an Adderall to help them study.

Duval Co + Lab sees their friends getting hurt, and wants to make sure the word is out, along with solutions. The event the Co + Lab has designed will provide a great opportunity to reach youth with top notch information, resources, and tools.

Event details:

Who: Rising 9th – 12th-grade students

What: Educational & interactive AWARE Summit – free of charge

When: Sunday, May 15, 2022, from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Where: Sweet Pete’s Sky Lounge – 400 North Hogan Street, Jax, FL 32202

Why: Raise Awareness for Better Health

For more information or to volunteer or attend, please contact:
Hannah Schaper, Community Education & Training Director, DFD Jax
Hannah@dfdjax.org cell: 843-801-4927