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Last Wednesday, I attended the North Shore forum on Fentanyl, which was created in response to our province declaring a provincial public health emergency on the Fentanyl crisis.  British Columbia is the first province in Canada to declare this a public health emergency.  It was encouraging to see that approximately 1/3 of the audience at this event consisted of youth.

The vile in the image above shows the very small amount of Fentanyl that it takes for an overdose.

What Are Some Facts About The Fentanyl Crisis?

• The BC Coroners Service says that between January and the end of October 2016,  622 people died of an overdose, compared to 397 for the same period in 2015

• Fentanyl first started to appear on the streets in 2012 and the prevalence has been rapidly increasing ever since.  Richmond, has the lowest overdose rate in the province –> 1.9% and the North Shore of Vancouver has the second lowest percentage –> 7.1%

• More men than women overdose

• Fentanyl is in the same family as Morphine and Heroin but is much cheaper and stronger, which is why it appeals to drug dealers

• Fentanyl is 10-100x more toxic than Heroin

• When people use Heroin, Cocaine etc. they are usually not aware when there is Fentanyl in it

• Naloxone can be administered by injection or nasal spray to reverse the effects of an Opiod overdose

• Naloxone is available as part of a harm reduction program for users at-risk who go through the training on how to use it

• Naloxone can be bought privately from BC pharmacies and pharmacists can provide training

• Fentanyl is so small and transparent that it is very hard to see which also explains why it may get mixed into some drugs inadvertently, as well as purposefully

• To date, there are no cases reported in Canada, of any Marijuana containing Fentanyl, but it could still happen…

What Is The Advice Regarding Fentanyl?

• Don’t mix drugs and alcohol

“These two substances can each damage the body, but exponentially so when combined. As a report from the National Criminal Justice Reference Service explains, opiates both intensify the sedative effects of alcohol while making unconsciousness and respiratory failure more likely. This report also explains that mixing the two substances significantly increases a person’s likelihood of overdose”    ~ Foundations Recovery Network

Call 911 at any sign of an overdose, such as a person being:

• Unconscious
• Altered mental status, such as confusion or delirium
• Breathing problems. Breathing may slow and eventually stop
• Extreme sleepiness or loss of alertness
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Small pupils

To learn more about drug and alcohol prevention in our youth, read my previous article: The Best Way to Reduce the Risks of Drug and Alcohol Abuse in Teens

What About Vaping…Ecigarettes?

In the Q & A session, a wise mother made the comment that since the prevalence of Fentanyl is so low on the North Shore and  fortunately rarely being used by youth, (usually it is used by young adults and older) but since vaping is very popular, what are the risks of vaping?

If you’re not familiar with vaping, it is the new smoking.  Smoking cigarettes is out and vaping is in.  It seems as soon as students enter grade 8, vaping becomes the “cool” activity to try.

Vaping involves a battery charged metal tube with a coil that heats up a liquid and then when the liquid reaches boiling point, it creates a vapour which is inhaled.  Additionally concerning is the fact that the liquid comes in child appealing flavours such as candy floss, tutti frutti, watermelon, banana cream pie, strawberry shortcake etc. which gives the impression that vaping is harmless.  The liquid is also not regulated and therefore all the potentially dangerous ingredients are not listed.

“Although they do not produce tobacco smoke, e-cigarettes still contain nicotine and other potentially harmful chemicals. Nicotine is a highly addictive drug, and recent research suggests nicotine exposure may also prime the brain to become addicted to other substances” ~ www.drugabuse.gov

This article includes a video of a boy vaping.

What Can We Do As Parents?

Kerrie Watt, Alcohol and Drug Prevention Coordinator for Vancouver Fraser Health made the following recommendations:

• We need to remain up-to-date and discuss drug related news events
• Ask our child what they think
• Focus on safety more than legality
• Stop trying to convince, as this shuts down conversation and we need to keep conversation open
• Be curious, don’t assume
• Emphasize safety (don’t mix drugs and alcohol, if they’re going to try – try a very small amount first)
• Have positive mentors in your child’s life
• Have prevention discussions early and often
• Remember youth are experts in what it means to be them

You may also be very interested in my previous article on what the research shows as the best ways to prevent drug and alcohol use in our teens.

It’s also very interesting to read the results of the McCreary Centre questionnaire that surveys teens all over the province and then publishes the results.  You can read the summary here which includes their answers about drug and alcohol use.

Please share this information with your friends and family, in hopes that with greater awareness and education, our youth can make healthy decisions.

Warmly,

PS.  My next live Q & A webinar for members of the Toddler to Teen™ Parenting Solutions Foundation Course will take place this Wednesday. (Email to follow with time and link).  Registration is currently open for this online parenting course and will close on Friday, December 2nd at 11:59pm.  Click here for more information.

PPS.  My FREE three part video parent training series is currently running until this Friday, December 2nd, 2016 11:59pm.  To receive access to these three mini video trainings on How to Handle Your Kid’s BIG Emotions, Are You Caught in These 5 Common Parenting Myths? and 7 Tips to Avoid Power Struggles, click here.

PPPS.  Registration is also open for my next round of “Brain Science” groups to teach children ages 7-9yrs. and 10-12yrs. about anxiety and anxiety management strategies.  To find out more information and to register online, please click here and click on “upcoming groups/events” and scroll down.