A resource site for San Diego and Imperial County Parents and Caregivers
Un sitio de recursos para padres y familiares de condados de san diego e imperial
Rainbow Fentanyl Alert
DEA Warns of Brightly-Colored Fentanyl Used to Target Young Americans
The Drug Enforcement Administration warns the American public of the alarming increase in the lethality and availability of fake prescription pills containing fentanyl and methamphetamine.
Click on the links below to find more information.
Link to the press release that details the sharp increase in fake prescription pills containing fentanyl and methamphetamine.
Facts on counterfeit pills. Images detail similarities between counterfeit and legitimate pills.
Wyatt tragically passed away at age 23 after taking a pill he thought was Xanax, but was actually laced with the powerful synthetic opioid fentanyl.
This is the most recent project by the ELKS DAP in collaboration with DEA. The short-form scripted episodes take a light touch look at the Awkward Conversations parents face when talking to their kids about drugs, alcohol, and making smart decisions.
Teenage Brain Development and Drug Use
desarrollo del cerebro adolescente y uso de drogas
What is Addiction?
No one plans to become addicted to a drug. Instead, it begins with a single use, which can lead to abuse, which can lead to addiction.
The National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) defines addiction as: A chronic, relapsing brain disease that is characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences. Addiction is a brain disease because drugs change the brain’s structure and how it works. These brain changes can be long lasting, and lead to harmful behaviors seen in people who abuse drugs.
The good news is that addiction is treatable. The treatment approach to substance abuse depends on several factors, including a child’s temperament and willingness to change. It may take several attempts at treatment before a child remains drug-free. For those teens who are treated for addiction, will have a life of recovery. For more information on addiction go to the National Institute of Drug Abuse.
Info source: https://www.getsmartaboutdrugs.gov/consequences/how-drugs-alter-brain-development-and-affect-teens
Changes in Brain Development and Function From Drug Abuse
Most kids grow dramatically during the adolescent and teen years. Their young brains, particularly the prefrontal cortex that is used to make decisions, are growing and developing, until their mid-20’s.
Long-term drug use causes brain changes that can set people up for addiction and other problems. Once a young person is addicted, his or her brain changes so that drugs are now the top priority. He or she will compulsively seek and use drugs even though doing so brings devastating consequences to his or her life, and for those who care about him.
(See more: Study: Regularly Using Marijuana as a Teen Slows Brain Development)
Alcohol can interfere with developmental processes occurring in the brain. For weeks or months after a teen stops drinking heavily, parts of the brain still struggle to work correctly. Drinking at a young age is also associated with the development of alcohol dependence later in life.
Info source: https://www.getsmartaboutdrugs.gov/consequences/how-drugs-alter-brain-development-and-affect-teens
Drug Facts
Datos sobre las drogas
Fentanyl
Fentanilo
What is Fentanyl?
¿Qué es el fentanilo?
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 80-100 times stronger than morphine. Pharmaceutical fentanyl was developed for pain management treatment of cancer patients, applied in a patch on the skin. Because of its powerful opioid properties, Fentanyl is also diverted for abuse. Fentanyl is added to heroin to increase its potency, or disguised as highly potent heroin. Many users believe that they are purchasing heroin and actually don’t know that they are purchasing fentanyl – which often results in overdose deaths. Clandestinely-produced fentanyl is primarily manufactured in Mexico.
Street Names
Apace, China Girl, China Town, China White, Dance Fever, Goodfellas, Great Bear, He-Man, Poison and Tango & Cash
How is it used?
Clandestine fentanyl is typically injected, or inhaled like heroin.
How does it affect the body?
Intense, short-term high
Temporary feelings of euphoria
Slowed respiration and reduced blood pressure
Nausea
Fainting
Seizures
Death
Info Source: Fentanyl
WARNING: Ingestion of very small doses of fentanyl can be fatal. Fentanyl can be absorbed through the skin and accidental inhalation of airborne powder also may occur.
Fentanyl Pills are not produced in pharmaceutical labs. They may look the same as pharmaceutical pills on the outside, but they can have widely different amounts of fentanyl (or other drugs) in them, as demonstrated in this picture.
How are people using fentanyl?
Counterfeit pills, powder form, or with drugs that have been contaminated with fentanyl. (Click down for more info)
Illicitly-produced fentanyl is increasingly available in the form of counterfeit prescription pills. Fentanyl traffickers use fentanyl powder and pill presses to produce pills that resemble popular prescription drugs, such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, and Xanax®. The pills are sold in illicit U.S. drug markets, and users typically do not realize the pills contain fentanyl. The amount of fentanyl intended for each tablet is very small, and operators risk creating hot spots, or areas of higher concentrations of fentanyl in the pills. DEA’s analysis of 8 kilograms of fentanyl tablets indicated the average illicit fentanyl-laced tablet contained 1.1 milligrams of fentanyl, with a range of 0.03 to 1.9 milligram per tablet. Such a large amount of fentanyl in each pill is alarming considering that approximately 2 milligrams is a lethal dose for most non-opioid-dependent individuals.
The high profitability of counterfeit prescription pills made with fentanyl strongly incentivizes traffickers to continue producing them. These pills often retail for between $10 and $20 in illicit street markets, potentially netting traffickers millions of dollars in profit.
Illicit fentanyl, fentanyl-related substances, and other synthetic opioids can also resemble powdered drugs such as heroin or cocaine. Fentanyl, or other synthetic opioids, in pill or capsule form have been represented as OxyContin (oxycodone), Xanax (alprazolam), or other diverted pharmaceutical drugs. Fentanyl has also been found mixed with other illicit drugs, such as cocaine, or in black tar form that visually resembles black tar heroin.
Marijuana
La marihuana
What is Marijuana?
¿Qué es la marihuana?
Marijuana is a mind-altering psychoactive drug. Dry, shredded, green/brown mix of flowers, stems, seeds and leaves from the cannabis sativa plant. THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) is the main ingredient that produces the psychoactive effect. Addictive.
Street Names
Aunt Mary, BC Bud, Chronic, Dope, Gangster, Ganja, Grass, Hash, Herb, Joint, Mary Jane, Mota, Pot, Reefer, Sinsemilla, Skunk, Smoke, Weed, Yerba
How is it used?
Smoked as a cigarette or in pipe or bong
Smoked in blunts (cigar emptied of tobacco and filled with marijuana, and sometimes mixed with additional drugs)
Mixed with food (edibles)
Brewed as tea
How does it affect the body?
Relaxation, disinhibition, increased appetite, sedation, increased sociability
Effects memory and learning
Difficulty in thinking and problem-solving
Hallucinations
Impaired judgment, reduced coordination
Distorted perception
Decreased blood pressure, increased heart rate, dizziness, nausea, tachycardia
Confusion, anxiety, paranoia, drowsiness
Respiratory ailments
Info source: Marijuana
Marijuana in plant form: Cannabis
Honey Butane Wax
What are Marijuana Concentrates or THC Concentrates?
¿Qué son los concentrados de marihuana?
A marijuana concentrate is a highly potent THC concentrated mass that is most similar in appearance to either honey or butter, which is why it is referred to or known on the street as “honey oil” or “budder.”
Click here to learn more about marijuana concentrates.
Un concentrado de marihuana es una format concentrada de THC (tetrahidrocannabinol) sumamente potente, muy similar en apariencia a la miel o a la mantequilla, y comúnmente conocida como “aceite de miel” o “budder.”
How has marijuana changed over the years?
Aumento del contenido de THC de la marihuana
The amount of THC in marijuana has been increasing steadily over the past few decades. For a person who's new to marijuana use, this may mean exposure to higher THC levels with a greater chance of a harmful reaction. Higher THC levels may explain the rise in emergency room visits involving marijuana use.
In 1995, the average THC potency was 4%. In 2018, the average THC potency was over 15%. But that's just looking at the plant material. Marijuana concentrates average over 50% THC content, and some products advertise having THC levels over 90%.
Info Source: https://www.drugabuse.gov/drug-topics/marijuana/marijuana-potency
La cantidad de THC que se encuentra en la marihuana ha ido en constante aumento en las últimas décadas. Para una persona que recién comienza a consumir la droga, esto puede significar que está expuesta a niveles más altos de THC y tiene más probabilidades de sufrir una reacción adversa. Los niveles más altos de THC podrían explicar el aumento de las visitas a las salas de emergencias relacionadas con el consumo de marihuana.
Los niveles más altos de THC pueden significar un mayor riesgo de adicción si la persona se expone regularmente a dosis más altas.
Fuente de información: https://www.drugabuse.gov/es/publicaciones/drugfacts/la-marihuana
Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD) Potency of Cannabis Samples Seized by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Percent Averages from 1995-201. Source: Potency Monitoring Program, Quarterly Report # 146
Other Drugs
Otras drogas
How to Talk to Your Child about Drugs
Know the Facts
Sources: NIDA
Know the Signs
Click the down arrow for some warning signs that might indicate drug use.
Teens are known to have mood swings. However, some behavior may indicate more serious issues, such as abuse of drugs and alcohol. Here are some of the warning signs of drug use.
Problems at school
Frequently forgetting homework.
Missing classes or skipping school.
Disinterest in school or school activities.
A drop in grades.
Physical signs
Lack of energy and motivation.
Red eyes and cheeks or difficulty focusing - alcohol use.
Red eyes and constricted pupils - marijuana use.
A strange burn on your child’s mouth or fingers – smoking something (possibly heroin) through a metal or glass pipe.
Chronic nosebleeds – cocaine abuse.
Neglected appearance
Lack of interest in clothing, grooming, or appearance is not normal. Teenagers are usually very concerned about how they look.
Changes in behavior
Teenagers enjoy privacy, but be aware of excessive attempts to be alone.
Exaggerated efforts not to allow family members into their rooms.
Not letting you know where they go with friends, or whom they go with.
Breaking curfew without a good excuse.
Changes in relationships with family.
Changes in friends
No longer is friends with childhood friends.
Seems interested in hanging out with older kids.
Acts secretive about spending time with new friends.
Money issues
Sudden requests for money without a good reason.
Money stolen from your wallet or from safe places at home.
Items gone from your home. (May be sold to buy drugs.)
Specific smells
Odor of marijuana, cigarettes, or alcohol on teen’s breath, on clothing, in the bedroom, or in the car.
Drug paraphernalia
Finding items in your child’s room, backpack, or car related to drug use.
Source: https://www.getsmartaboutdrugs.gov/content/signs-drug-use
Start the Conversation
Discussion starters:
You may want to have a discussion with your child about this important issue but aren’t quite sure where to start. Keep the lines of communication open by engaging in regular conversations. One-on-one conversations may not always yield the results you would like. Be patient and keep initiating conversations.
There’s a lot in the news lately about teens who are misusing prescription drugs. How much do you know about this? Do you know if kids at your school are taking prescription drugs like OxyContin® and Percocet® that were not prescribed for them?
Sometimes teens will try to opt out of this conversation because they don’t want to share specific information about friends or peers. In this case, you can be ready with a story about your own teenage years and someone you knew or something that happened pertaining to drug use during that time. Talk about howyou felt, and then ask what they would have thought had they experienced something similar. This is also an opportunity to talk about why this behavior is so dangerous.
I just heard a report about drug use by teenagers, and I wanted to talk to you about what it said…
Briefly summarize the report and talk honestly about how it makes you feel. Your child may be reluctant to talk about specific people they know, so make it clear that you are not fishing for information to get someone in trouble.
There is so much on the news today about people misusing prescription drugs. Are you aware of what can happen when people misuse medicine prescribed by doctors?
If your child is not presently taking any medication, they may question the need to discuss this issue. Explain that people who misuse prescription drugs often don’t have a prescription. Friends and family can supply the drugs— intentionally or inadvertently, when people leave old prescriptions in their medicine cabinets.
I see that your school has been taking part in a drug prevention program. There is so much in the news right now, and I am not sure I understand all of it. What have you learned from this program?
This approach can be useful for children who are reluctant to talk about their personal feelings or relationships. Get the conversation started by asking your child to explain factual or scientific knowledge— for example, how opioids relieve pain and cause addiction— and listen for opportunities to ask follow-up questions.
If you suspect your child is already using drugs:
Choose the right time to talk. When talking to your child be sure your child is sober or has not been using drugs before talking about drugs and alcohol.
Voice your suspicion. Begin by expressing your concerns without making accusations. “Susan, I suspect you may be smoking pot occasionally. I love you and I’m concerned about you. Is there something going on that we need to talk about?”
Be specific. Explain what you observed to make you concerned. For example, you found missing pills or an empty pill bottle. Or your child’s appearance indicates a problem.
Be prepared for strong reactions. Your child may accuse you of snooping or say you’re crazy. Stay calm.
Reinforce what you think about drug use. Tell her how much you care for him or her.
Get help from the experts. Contact the school counselor, school nurse, or family doctor about your concerns.
For more information, see Growing Up Drug Free.
Source: https://www.getsmartaboutdrugs.gov/content/talking-your-child-when-you-suspect-drug-use
Resources for Families
Recursos para familiares
Secure Your Meds
Asegure sus Medicamentos
Overdose Prevention and Rescue
Prevención de la Sobredosis de Opioides
Unfortunately drug overdoses are increasing in our region, especially overdoses from fentanyl.
You can prepare yourself to rescue someone who overdoses, either intentionally or unintentionally, by having the life-saving opioid-reversing agent NALOXONE on-hand.
In case of overdose:
Call 911 and give naloxone
Do rescue breathing and chest compressions, and follow the 911 dispatcher's instructions
After Naloxone: Stay with the person for at least 3 hours, or until help arrives
Actúe si observa señales de sobredosis:
Llame al 911.
Administre aerosol nasal de naloxona (Narcan).
Provea asistencia respiratoria para la persona afectada
Signs of opioid overdose:
Señales de sobredosis de opioides
Not breathing or less than 1 breath every 5 seconds
Vomiting
Pale and clammy skin
Lips, fingers or toes look gray or blue in color
Heartbeat or pulse is slow or has stopped
Snoring, gurgling or choking sounds
Does not respond to shaking or rubbing your knuckles over the breast bone in the center of the chest
No respirar o menos de 1 respiración cada 5 segundos
Vómitos
Piel pálida y pegajosa
Labios, dedos de las manos o de los pies de color gris o azul
Los latidos del corazón o el pulso son lentos o se detuvieron
Ronquidos, gorgoteos o sonidos de asfixia
No responde a sacudidas o a frotarle los nudillos encima del esternón en el centro del pecho
Source: https://www.healthinfotranslations.org/pdfDocs/GivingNaloxone_SP.pdf
What is Naloxone?
¿Qué es la naloxona?
Naloxone is a medicine that rapidly reverses an opioid overdose. It is an opioid antagonist. This means that it attaches to opioid receptors and reverses and blocks the effects of other opioids. Naloxone can quickly restore normal breathing to a person if their breathing has slowed or stopped because of an opioid overdose. But, naloxone has no effect on someone who does not have opioids in their system, and it is not a treatment for opioid use disorder. Examples of opioids include heroin, fentanyl, oxycodone (OxyContin®), hydrocodone (Vicodin®), codeine, and morphine.
La naloxona es un medicamento que revierte rápidamente una sobredosis de opioides. Es un antagonista opioide, es decir, se adhiere a los receptores opioides y revierte y bloquea los efectos de otros opioides. La naloxona puede restablecer con rapidez la respiración normal de una persona que respira lentamente o ha dejado de respirar a causa de una sobredosis de opioides. Pero la naloxona no tiene ningún efecto en quien no tiene opioides en el organismo y no es tampoco un tratamiento para un trastorno por consumo de opioides. Entre las drogas opioides se encuentran la heroína, el fentanilo, la oxicodona (OxyContin®), la hidrocodona (Vicodin®), la codeína y la morfina. (https://www.drugabuse.gov/es/publicaciones/drugfacts/naloxona)
Where can I get Naloxone?
¿Dónde puedo obtener naloxona?
Many pharmacies carry naloxone. In California, you can get naloxone from a pharmacist even if your doctor did not write you a prescription for it. It is also possible to get naloxone from community-based distribution programs, local public health groups, or local health departments, free of charge.
Visit the Naloxone finder website to see resources in your area. Check with your local pharmacy.
Muchas farmacias venden naloxona y en algunos estados se puede comprar incluso sin tener una receta personal para el medicamento. También es posible obtener naloxona en forma gratuita en programas comunitarios de distribución, grupos públicos locales de salud y departamentos locales de salud.
Visite el sitio getnaloxonenow.org para ver qué recursos hay en su área. Consulte en su farmacia local. (https://www.drugabuse.gov/es/publicaciones/drugfacts/naloxona)
