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Speaking of Teens

Episode #21: What You Need To Know To Talk To Your Teen About Fentanyl

counterfeit Xanax made with illicit Fentanyl

Risky behavior is inherent in teens and tweens. Risk taking is a necessary part of growing up and learning to be independent. But many of these risks could literally cost them their life.

Using drugs is one of those life endangering activities, especially with more and more illicit fentanyl being introduced into the drug supply by Mexican drug cartels. According to the DEA, these cartels illicitly manufacture the extremely potent, and potentially deadly synthetic opioid in clandestine “laboratories” and smuggle it into the US in the form of powder (for “cutting” into heroin and cocaine) and counterfeit pills. They do this because it’s extremely cheap to make, and very potent so a little bit goes a long way to stretch the other drugs out – and it’s extremely addictive and makes for repeat customers (if they don’t die first).

These counterfeit pills are made with a mixture of fentanyl and other chemicals and manufactured to look like the drugs teenagers gravitate towards (for parties, experimentation, and self-medicating). Fentanyl has been found in fake Adderall, Oxycontin, Percocet, Dilaudid, Xanax, MDMA (molly or ecstasy). And the amount that would fit on the tip of a pencil can be lethal…and has been for way too many.

From 2019 to 2021, deaths from fentanyl overdoses tripled in teenagers. And teens don’t have to look too hard for the deadly pills. Snapchat and other social media platforms are teeming with dealers who seek your kid out and market to them. Please take the time to learn about the danger fentanyl poses to your teen or tween and how to talk to them about it so they will actually hear you.

Access TRANSCRIPT here.

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Sources, Resources and Mentions:

Ep. #4  Why Your Teen Does Stupid Stuff (Even When They Know Better)

Ep. #15  Control, Conflict, And Your Teen's Autonomy: Balancing Their Push For Autonomy With Your Need For Parental Control, Without All The Conflict

Ep. #16  Settling Conflict While Supporting Your Teen's Autonomy

 

Relevant Resources

The Alexander Neville Foundation The foundation started by Alex’s family (the “lead story” in this episode)

Short Film, Dead on Arrival - an incredibly powerful video to watch with your teen, produced by a young person who grew up in the same town as Alex Neville– features his mother Amy Neville

THE documentary on fentanyl! “Trafficked with Mariana Van Seller – Fentanyl” – you’ll see interviews with the Mexican drug cartel – she takes you through the entire pipeline and you’ll see the clandestine labs where it’s made and the first responders who go out to save people with Narcan.

An ABC News series – shows some of the celebrities who’ve died from fentanyl poisoning – may get your child’s attention

SafeMedicines.org - An excellent website with the latest news and videos on counterfeit drugs

SafeMedicines.org Memorial Page – to see that ANYONE can be hit by this tragedy. The

SongForCharlie.org - A charitable organization started by the family of Charlie Ternan who died of poisoning from a fake fentanyl-laced Percocet

The DEA’s website - You can search “fentanyl” for all information

DEA’s website website for “snapchat”

DEA Emoji Code for Drugs

Legislative Analysis and Public Policy Association’s extremely comprehensive summary of all state laws re: naloxone (including immunity, insurance, etc.)

SafeProject.us - A simple list of all state laws regarding access to Naloxone

 

Sources

National Institute on Drug Abuse – Naloxone DrugFacts

DEA Facts About Fentanyl

Illicit Fentanyl from China

DEA-Fentanyl Flow to the United States

Fentanyl Analogues

Chocolate Chip Cookie Effect:  MattAdamsFoundation and SongForCharlie (#13)

BTNX Test Strips Brochure and website

Article about Snapchat March

What Bark Monitors on Different Platforms

Article on Snapchat and Drugs

Article 2 on Snapchat and Drugs

Article 3 on Snapchat and Drugs

Snap’s Transparency Report for the Second Half of 2021

Snapchat’s Family Center

Social Media Safety’s review of Family Center

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