Dangers of Synthetic Drugs

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH), has expounded on the extreme danger of drugs laced with fentanyl (AB 889: Pupil Safety: Synthetic Drugs). This notice aims to address the crisis with a preventative approach ensuring students and families are educated on the deadly consequences of recreational drug use.

The illicit use and abuse of synthetic drugs represent an emerging and ongoing public health threat to California. The fentanyl crisis specifically has impacted communities across the state, leading to a sharp increase in fentanyl poisonings and deaths in recent years.

• Synthetic drugs, such as fentanyl, are extremely dangerous when not prescribed by a physician and can lead to serious health complications or death.
• Counterfeit pills may look like common prescription medications but can contain lethal substances such as fentanyl, even in small doses.
• Social media platforms are increasingly being used as a way to market and sell these dangerous substances to young people, often disguised or misrepresented.
• Illicit fentanyl can be added to other drugs to make them cheaper, more powerful, and more addictive. Illicit fentanyl has been found in many drugs, including heroin, methamphetamine, counterfeit pills, and cocaine.
• Fentanyl mixed with any drug increases the likelihood of a fatal overdose. Furthermore, it is nearly impossible to tell if drugs have been laced with fentanyl without additional testing, because fentanyl cannot be seen, smelled, or tasted when used as a lacing agent.

What You Can Do:

• Talk to your child about the dangers of drug use, especially counterfeit pills and synthetic opioids.
• Monitor and stay engaged with your child’s online and social media activity.
• Encourage open, honest communication and let them know you are a safe person to come to with concerns.