Drugs: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly (A Four Part Series for Parents with Teens)
The Evolution of Illicit Drugs
The landscape of illicit substances has drastically changed since we were teens. Back then, we had access to cannabis, acid, hallucinogens (magic mushrooms) and maybe cocaine. For the most part, those drugs were mostly pure, thus had less effects on our physical and psychological health. Teens could more safely try most of these substances out of curiosity, which is within the nature of a teen, and walk away from them.
Now we still have cannabis, however legal in Canada, acid, hallucinogens, cocaine and heroine, which are never pure, as well as the scarier drugs, fentanyl, crystal meth and crack cocaine. The access to these drugs is much easier to obtain, there is more use within peers, and they have significant temporary and permanent damage to health from hyperemesis to permanent psychosis. For parents, it is very difficult to educate teens now on being as safe as possible when trying these substance alone or with their peers, as one try of fentanyl can easily end their life.
Naltrexone – The Good
Naltrexone, also known as Narcan, is an opiate agonist which means it reverses the effects of all opioids like fentanyl. Narcan kits, either nasal or intramuscular, are available across Canada for free. Naltrexone will not reverse the effects of other illicit substance such as stimulants (crystal meth, crack cocaine, cocaine), benzodiazepines or cannabis.
Having a conversation with your teen about how to use a naltrexone kit, and making it available for them, is key for their safety and that of their friends, and it does not increase their risk of trying illicit substances. The purity or strength of each illicit substance varies by the week, colour, and from dealer to dealer. Essentially, now you never know what you are going to get when trying illicit substances and even though your teen might not be seeking out fentanyl, there is a high likelihood of other substances being laced with fentanyl. Without naltrexone or immediate medical help they can overdose and die.
These are difficult conversations to have with our loved ones but necessary in our current landscape of illicit substances. Take care!
Becky Morrison is a Nurse Practitioner based out of Calgary who has specialized in mental health for over a decade. She is finally, after years of infertility, a mother of two busy little boys, and doting fur mom of her gentle giant, Stella. She is, and always will be, a strong advocate for mental wellness at all ages.
