"Expanding Back to School Supplies: Birth Control and Fentanyl Strips Now Available"

As students prepare to return to school, parents are being advised to consider health-related items for their teens and young adults. The availability of over-the-counter contraceptives, such as the newly approved progestin-only birth control pill called Opill, provides more options for parents. Other over-the-counter options include condoms, spermicide, and contraceptive sponges. It's important to note that emergency contraception, commonly known as the "morning-after pill," may require a prescription depending on the state. Additionally, parents are encouraged to be aware of the risks of fentanyl poisoning and accidental overdose among young people and to have access to harm reduction tools like fentanyl test strips and naloxone (Narcan). With COVID-19 transmission expected to rise in the fall and winter, parents should also be prepared with ample at-home COVID-19 tests and consider addressing their children's mental health ahead of the school year.