The U.S. drug crisis is evolving in incredibly dangerous ways that parents should be aware of and share with their teenagers. A new wave of ultrapotent synthetic drugs is flooding the illicit market. These lab-made drugs can be exponentially stronger than fentanyl, frequently go undetected by standard drug tests, can come in many forms, and don’t always respond to typical overdose remedies.

My teen doesn’t use drugs, so why should I be concerned?

Unfortunately, the risk to all teens is very real. While parents might assume a troubled teen is the one to watch, studies are showing that everyone is susceptible to these new synthetic drugs. For example, many achievement-oriented high school and college students have been known to try to purchase prescription drugs, such as Ritalin, Adderall or Xanax under the false impression that these drugs will help them learn quicker, focus better, and provide extra energy to study longer. Teens who would normally not consider themselves as drug users can be tempted by what looks like ordinary prescription medicine. Young people tend to think synthetic drugs are safe to use because they look like medications prescribed by doctors. Unfortunately, what they think are legitimate prescription pills are actually drugs that were made in the underground market and pressed to look real. Counterfeits are laced with multiple illicit substances, packaged to look near identical to legitimate medicines, and sold through social media referrals to teens who are unaware of the risks they pose. Over the last few years, medical professionals have noted that many individuals who are victims of overdose had no idea that illicit substances were in what they took.

What type of Synthetic Drugs are being distributed?

The list of new chemical substances is overwhelming. Nitazenes (benzimidazole-opioids), a class of extremely potent synthetic opioids developed decades ago but now manufactured in clandestine labs, can be up to 40 times stronger than fentanyl. Sedatives like xylazine and medetomidine, also known as tranq, are increasingly being mixed into drugs purchased on the street to prolong highs. New psychoactive substances are chemical alterations of more traditional drugs such as MDMA, LSD, and cannabis. For in-depth tracking of emerging chemical compounds and health advisories, consult the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Emerging Drug Trends tracker.

Why are Synthetic Drugs being created?

Criminal organizations are creating synthetic drugs for several reasons:

• increased potency, which results in repeat customers
• cheaper to make synthetic drugs, so it cuts costs and increases profits
• often undetectable by sight, taste, or smell so it’s easier to avoid detection
• can be made smaller and in many forms so it can be transported easily
• stays ahead of authorities because drug makers simply alter their chemicals if one is tagged by authorities

How are Synthetic Drugs sold?

Most substances are sold online via eCommerce websites, social media platforms like Snapchat, or through friends. It is not difficult to obtain them.

These substances are made in a wide variety of forms to avoid detection, including nasal sprays, powders, and as pills that are made to look like prescription medications. They have even created blotter paper that contains a mix of multiple potent drugs; most authorities never think to look for paper.

Why are Synthetic Drugs more dangerous than other substances?

There are a number of reasons that these emerging synthetic drugs are much more dangerous than previous substances:

• A pill, paper, or powder can look completely ‘normal’ while containing multiple hidden ingredients.
• Since these drugs are made on the black market, the mix and levels of substances can vary widely so that people taking them have no real way to know what or how much they are putting in their bodies.
• The potency of these synthetic drugs is substantially higher than previous substances. Fentanyl caused an epidemic of overdose deaths, and these new substances are even stronger.
• Many overdoses now involve multiple drugs, including opioids, sedatives, and other additives. This makes treatment more complicated and outcomes less predictable.

How do I talk to my teen about synthetic drugs?

Experts advise parents to revise their drug talks. It’s good to begin by asking our kids what they know, and what they believe, and make sure that we really listen to them with a great deal of patience. In addition, discuss the following:

• Give your teens the facts about prescription stimulants so they are not tempted to use them to improve their grades. While ADHD medications do promote wakefulness, studies have found that they do not enhance learning or thinking ability. Research also shows that students who abuse prescription stimulants have lower GPAs in high school and college than those who don’t.
• Debunk the myth that prescription medications are a “safer” way to get high.
• Give them the information about synthetic drugs explained above, so that they are aware of the dangers of purchasing any drugs.
• Teach your teen the signs of overdose. An individual’s speech will be slurred and they may have difficulty standing up and/or staying awake. If a young person becomes unresponsive, or has irregular breathing, it’s important to call 911 immediately.

Final Thoughts…

It’s important for parents to continue talking to their children about the dangers of drug use, and to be able to discuss the most current trends. According to the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, teens are 50% less likely to use drugs if they learn about the risks of drug use from their parents. Discussions do NOT encourage use. It’s important for trustworthy adults to provide teens with factual information. The facts both empower adolescents to make smarter decisions and give them the message that their families are open to answering their questions and providing assistance when they need it.