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By Charlotte Hopkins

Jefferson Hills Public Library’s dedicated Drug Use and Prevention Resource Center, created to inform parents, teens, and educators about the dangers of counterfeit drugs.

In response to a growing national crisis, the Jefferson Hills Public Library has opened a new resource area dedicated to drug use and prevention. This initiative aims to equip the community with vital information to combat the alarming rise in adolescent drug overdoses, which has been exacerbated by the spread of counterfeit pills laced with deadly fentanyl.

“Every week, an average of 22 adolescents ages 14-18 die in the U.S. from drug overdoses, primarily due to fentanyl-laced prescription pills,” said Jane Milner, Program Coordinator at the library. “Many of these young people are taking a pill for the first time, unaware of the lethal risks involved.”

The resource center can be found on the second floor of the Jefferson Hills Municipal Center, just outside the library doors. This dedicated resource area features pamphlets, flyers, and educational materials on various drug-related topics. The information is designed to help parents and caregivers navigate critical conversations about drug use, recognize the warning signs of drug use in teens, and understand the potentially fatal risks associated with even a single counterfeit pill.

In developing these resources, Milner collaborated with Dr. Elizabeth Zona, a double board-certified physician in anesthesiology and addiction medicine from Moon Township. Dr. Zona’s expertise in addiction medicine and firsthand experience with the impact of fentanyl on young lives have made her a powerful advocate for education on this issue. She recently spoke at a library program, emphasizing the dangers posed by counterfeit fentanyl pills, which are increasingly prevalent in communities.

“Seven out of every ten fake fentanyl pills bought on the street contain a potentially lethal dose,” Dr. Zona explained. “These pills are deceivingly similar to legitimate prescription medications, and their users often have no idea they are ingesting fentanyl.”

Dr. Zona’s message is clear: the community needs to be aware of the dangers and prevalence of these counterfeit pills, which are often sold as common medications like Percocet, Xanax, and Adderall. “A classroom of teens a week are dying from illicit fentanyl,” she said. “Many believe they’re taking a legitimate prescription, but nearly every pill not directly provided by a doctor is likely fake—and potentially fatal.”

The Jefferson Hills Public Library is a PA Forward Gold Star Library, committed to promoting community literacy across essential areas, including health and wellness. “Our Gold Star designation means we prioritize programming and resources that support key literacies for our community—whether for employment skills, responsible citizenship, or health and wellness,” said Milner. “This drug prevention resource area is one way we’re helping residents stay informed about an urgent issue that impacts us all.”

Community members are encouraged to visit the library’s resource area to access the free materials available and become better informed on this critical public health issue. By increasing awareness and providing reliable resources, the library hopes to contribute to a safer, more informed community, protecting its youth and families from the growing threat of fentanyl-laced drugs.

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