Health official speaks out on fentanyl crisis after personal tragedy
Ebert shares family’s heartbreak during Living Well Wednesday series
At a glance: A community health educator with the Pottawatomie County Health Department is sharing her family’s personal tragedy to raise awareness about the dangers of fentanyl and the broader opioid epidemic.
Related: Living Well Wednesday (webinar series)
Sept. 22, 2025
By Pat Melgares, K-State Research and Extension news service
MANHATTAN, Kan. — A community health educator with the Pottawatomie County Health Department is sharing her family’s personal tragedy to raise awareness about the dangers of fentanyl and the broader opioid epidemic, urging Kansas communities to take action through education, conversation and emergency response training.
Jenni Ebert — whose family lost 22-year-old Jayson Ebert to fentanyl poisoning in 2021 — delivered a powerful presentation aimed at preventing similar tragedies. In addition to working for health departments in Pottawatomie and Riley counties, she spearheads the Jayson Ebert Foundation to educate about the dangers of fentanyl.
“Jayson didn’t know the dangers of fentanyl, and neither did we,” she said. “I hadn’t even heard of it before that day. He took a pill, not knowing it was laced with fentanyl — and that one pill killed him.”
Ebert’s talk kicked off the Fall, 2025 series of Kansas State University’s Living Well Wednesday webinar series, hosted by K-State Extension and family and consumer science professionals across Kansas.
Ebert said that the federal Drug Enforcement Administration’s “One Pill Can Kill” campaign launched just weeks after Jason’s death. “I often wonder if he had seen the campaign, if it would’ve made a difference,” she added.
According to information from the DEA, fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is up to 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. While pharmaceutical fentanyl has legitimate medical uses, illegally manufactured fentanyl has flooded the streets, often disguised as prescription medication.
“The problem with fentanyl is that you can’t see it, smell it, or taste it,” Ebert said. “It can be in anything — counterfeit pills, stimulants, even marijuana — and you won’t know until it’s too late.”
She outlined the four waves of the opioid crisis: the over-prescription era of the 2000s; a surge in heroin use around 2010; the emergence of fentanyl in 2013; and its mixture into other drugs by 2014. Today, the crisis is affecting even young children, with accidental exposure among toddlers becoming a growing concern.
The Kansas Communities That Care survey, administered to students in grades 6, 8, 10 and 12, now includes questions about fentanyl awareness. “Sixth graders haven’t heard much about it,” she noted, “but this stuff is being marketed to them on their phones like it’s candy.”
Ebert urged parents, caregivers, and community leaders to have open, honest conversations with youth. “You don’t need to know every statistic, but you do need to talk about it. That can save a life.”
She also highlighted the importance of having naloxone — also known by the brand name Narcan — readily available. “It’s a nasal spray that can reverse an overdose. You peel, press, and push. If it doesn’t work in a few minutes, you give a second dose. But always call 911 first.”
In Kansas, initiatives like the Safe Pledge encourage residents to lock up medications and dispose of unused prescriptions at designated take-back sites.
“We’ve come a long way, and naloxone access is saving lives,” Ebert said. “But the supply of fake pills is still massive. Awareness, compassion, and conversation are our best tools in fighting this crisis.”
Ebert’s full talk and archived copies of previous Living Well Wednesday presentations are available online.
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