Fentanyl is a major problem in Stanislaus County. Fake "fentapills" are everywhere. These are imitation prescription pills made with fentanyl - a synthetic opioid 100x stronger than morphine. Just 2 mg of fentanyl, the equivalent of a couple grains of sand, is a lethal dose. Imitation pills are often found with several times that amount, and ONE PILL CAN KILL in minutes.

Unless a drug is prescribed by a licensed medical professional and dispensed by a legitimate pharmacy, you can't know if it’s fake or legitimate.

Depression, anxiety, and pain are real problems, but self-prescribed narcotics aren't the answer.

If you or someone you love is using self-prescribed drugs, or contemplating using self-prescribed drugs, it's time to get help. Speak to your doctor, school counselor, or another trusted adult.

MONITOR SOCIAL MEDIA

Most of the fentanyl pills and powder are being sold on social media platforms. Common apps such as Snapchat, What’sApp, Twitch, Instagram, Telegram, etc. should be actively monitored for any signs of dealers reaching out to your child. Different lingo is used to solicit buyers with phrases such as “M30, percs, blues, tango and cash, and xannie bars.”

BE AWARE OF YOUR CHILD'S SOCIAL CIRCLE

Know who your children are associating with outside of the home. Look for changes in friend groups or certain behaviors. People who are under the influence of fentanyl do not have objective signs of intoxication that are common with other substances.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

Look for signs such as drowsiness, sedation, confusion, disorientation, slurred speech, pinpoint pupils, change in sleeping patterns, lack of good hygiene, unkempt bedrooms, and falling grades. Often, young adults are found deceased from fentanyl poisoning while they are laying in their beds, where their family members believed they were just listening to music, playing video games, or sleeping.

INFLUENCE OF VAPING & MARIJUANA USE

Based on F.O.R.T. investigations and interviews, vaping and marijuana use cause anxiety based on the higher THC levels found in marijuana today. This increased anxiety leads the user to seek out drugs such as Xanax. Sadly, the “Xanax” they receive is often a fake one laced with fentanyl.

NARCAN

This medication is used to reverse an opioid/fentanyl overdose, and if administered timely, can prevent a death. If you're concerned someone in your life is at risk of an opioid overdose, we encourage you to keep Narcan on hand. Narcan has no adverse side effects and is available without a physician prescription at most pharmacies. (Paramedics should still be called whenever Narcan is used)

CASH APPS

Users purchase drugs using cash apps such as Venmo and Zelle. The average price for a counterfeit pill is $20. Parents should monitor all cash apps and should be aware that dealers will often deliver the pill(s), which are easily concealed, directly to the user’s home and simply drop it off in a location where it is undetected and easily accessible to the user.

Because opioids are available by prescription, many children and teens don’t understand their danger, and even fewer recognize that heroin is an opioid. Many also do not realize that dangerous fentanyl is added to many street drugs. Misusing opioids can be harmful and can alter the course of you children's lives, preventing them from reaching their full potential. That's reason enough to have this difficult conversation with your children. Be certain that the discussion focuses on how much you care about your child’s health.

• Set clear expectations about drug and alcohol use, including real consequences for not following family rules.

• Help your child deal with peer pressure to use drugs.

• Get to know your child’s friends and their parents.

• If concerned, have your child evaluated for mental health issues such as depression or anxiety.

• Monitor your child’s whereabouts.

• Carefully monitor your child’s medications.

• Do not leave unused opioids in accessible places in your home.

• Supervise teen activities.

• Talk to your child often.

• Do not ignore signs that your child is changing in negative ways