Opioids: Know the Dangers

You Don’t Think It’ll Happen to You — Until It Does

Opioids are powerful. That’s why they’re prescribed for pain, and that’s also why they’re so dangerous when misused. For some, the risk starts with one pill taken to stay awake, manage stress, or just take the edge off. For others, it’s a prescription meant to help that ends up doing harm, especially among older adults who may not realize how easy it is to take too much, too often.

No matter how it begins, the danger is real: addiction can happen quickly, and counterfeit pills — often laced with fentanyl — are killing people who never thought they were at risk. Heroin and fentanyl, in particular, are driving overdose deaths across the country. Heroin is addictive on its own, but now it’s often mixed with fentanyl, which is up to 100 times stronger than morphine. That means a tiny amount can be deadly, and most people don’t even know it’s there.

Whether Intentional or Accidental, Misuse of Opioids is Risky Business

It may not seem like a big deal in the moment, but the consequences can be life-altering, or life-ending. Misusing opioids means taking them in any way other than how they were prescribed. That includes:

• Taking more than the recommended dose
• Using someone else’s prescription
• Taking them to get high, not for pain relief

Whether it’s to help you study, manage anxiety, or take the edge off, it might feel like just one pill, no big deal. But if that pill didn’t come straight from a pharmacy, you don’t know what’s in it. Counterfeit pills are flooding the market, and can be laced with fentanyl, a synthetic opioid strong enough to kill, even in microscopic amounts. They’re made to look like the real thing, but they’re not. You won’t taste it. You won’t smell it. You won’t know until it’s too late, and one pill is all it takes.

Older adults are especially vulnerable to opioid misuse, not because of recklessness, but because of confusion, pain, or memory issues. A missed dose turns into a double dose. Two pain meds mix without realizing. A prescription keeps getting refilled, even when the pain is gone.

It doesn’t take much for safe use to become accidental overdose. That’s why it’s important to stay aware, and for family, caregivers, and friends to help monitor use when possible.

Naloxone: A Lifesaving Tool

Naloxone (often called Narcan) can reverse an opioid overdose in minutes, even overdoses involving fentanyl or heroin. In many cases, more than one dose may be needed, but every second matters. The best part? Naloxone is safe to use, even if it turns out the person wasn’t overdosing on opioids. You can get naloxone without a prescription in South Dakota. Keeping it on hand doesn’t mean you expect to need it, it means you’re prepared to save a life.

Spotting an Overdose Could Save a Life

Opioid overdoses happen fast, and recognizing the signs is critical:

• Slow, shallow, or no breathing
• Pinpoint pupils
• Limp body, hard to wake up
• Bluish lips or fingertips
• Gurgling or choking sounds

If you see these signs:

• Call 911 immediately
• Give naloxone if you have it (it won’t harm someone not overdosing)
• Try to keep the person breathing and lay them on their side
• Stay until help arrives

Know the Risks. Respect the Prescription.

Opioids can play an important role in managing pain — when they’re prescribed to you and taken exactly as your doctor directs. But outside of that, they can quickly become dangerous. Misusing opioids increases the risk of addiction and accidental overdose. And with fake pills now made to look exactly like real prescriptions — often laced with deadly fentanyl — the risk is even greater.

The more you understand what’s safe and what’s not, the more power you have to protect yourself and those around you.

Safe Use, Storage, and Disposal

Even one leftover pill can lead to misuse, especially when it’s easy to access. Keeping opioids stored securely helps protect your family, your friends, and your entire community. Medications should be kept in a locked box, out of reach of children, teens, and visitors. And when you’re done with them, dispose of any unused pills safely at a drop-off site or a local take-back event.

Treatment and Support Are Available

Becoming addicted to opioids can happen faster than most people realize. They’re powerful painkillers that not only ease physical pain but can also create a sense of calm or relief, especially during stressful times. The more you use them, the more your body and brain start to rely on that feeling. Over time, it takes more to get the same effect, and stopping can feel impossible without help.

The good news is that Opioid Use Disorder is treatable. Effective options include:

• Medications such as buprenorphine, methadone, or naltrexone
• Counseling, therapy, and peer support
• Community programs that reduce stigma and focus on recovery

Recovery is possible. Reaching out is the first step — for yourself or for someone you love.