With public schools across the country celebrating National Red Ribbon Week during the week of October 23rd – October 30th, this is a perfect opportunity for reminders about the risks involved with substance use, particularly for children and teenagers.
If you are a daily news consumer, you may have noticed an uprise in drug overdoses reported over the last several years. According to CDC.gov, “there were an estimated 107,543 drug overdose deaths in the United States during 2023.” Some of the drugs involved in these overdoses include psychostimulants (methamphetamine), cocaine, natural/semi-synthetic drugs, and opioids, many of which had fentanyl in them. Along with these drugs, there is a spike in the numbers of young people, including school-aged teenagers using cannabis or marijuana on a daily basis (American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 2024). Two of the most common drug concerns in Texas at the moment are cannabis and fentanyl.
What to Know About Cannabis
While cannabis (or marijuana) is being decriminalized in a lot of states, it is still illegal in Texas and there is concern about the short and long-term effects that cannabis has on the brain, particularly for young people whose brains will not be fully developed until the age of 25. Increased cannabis use has been linked to the following consequences: school difficulties, increased aggression, car accidents, use of other illicit drugs, worsening of mental health conditions, addiction, and increased risk of psychosis (American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 2024). It is crucial parents know the risks of today’s cannabis products as well as how to talk to children and teens about marijana.
What to Know about Fentanyl
Another concerning trend in substance use is the alarming amount of pills found on the street which contain a lethal dose of fentanyl. Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is odorless, tasteless, highly addictive, and difficult to detect. According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Association (DEA), “42% of pills tested for fentanyl contained at least 2 mg of fentanyl, considered a potentially lethal dose.” The scary part about this is that people are purchasing pills from someone either in person or on social media (typically for the purposes of self-medicating or partying) and believe they are getting a prescription medication, but are indeed getting a fake Fentapill. Deaths have increased due to this and it has unfortunately taken the lives of children, teens, and adults across the country. For more information on the risks of fentanyl, how Naloxone can be used as an attempt to reverse an overdose, and to view 5 news stories of Texas families who lost a loved one to this dangerous street drug.
Substance abuse doesn’t just impact the user; it has a ripple effect on families, communities, and the country as a whole. Together, we can work toward a drug-free world with education, prevention methods, quality treatment options, and care for one another.
If you or someone you know needs help, please click here for treatment options in our area.
Sources:
CDC. “U.S. Overdose Deaths Decrease in 2023, First Time since 2018.” Www.cdc.gov, National Center for Health Statistics, 15 May 2024, www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/nchs_press_releases/2024/20240515.htm. Accessed 17 Oct. 2024.
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. “Marijuana and Teens.” Aacap.org, American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Sept. 2023, www.aacap.org/aacap/families_and_youth/facts_for_families/fff-guide/Marijuana-and-Teens-106.aspx. Accessed 17 Oct. 2024.
United States Drug Enforcement Administration. “Facts about Fentanyl.” Www.dea.gov, United States Drug Enforcement Association , 29 Apr. 2021, www.dea.gov/resources/facts-about-fentanyl. Accessed 17 Oct. 2024.
Texas Health and Human Services. “Fentanyl: One Pill Kills | Texas Health and Human Services.” Www.hhs.texas.gov, Texas Health and Human Services, www.hhs.texas.gov/services/mental-health-substance-use/mental-health-substance-use-resources/fentanyl-one-pill-kills. Accessed 17 Oct. 2024.
North Texas Behavioral Health Authority. “Mental Health/Substance Use – North Texas Behavioral Health Authority.” North Texas Behavioral Health Authority , 22 Aug. 2022, ntbha.org/mental-health-substance-use/. Accessed 17 Oct. 2024.
