Aside from the obvious – that drug use can be addictive and can cause unintended side effects – the danger of taking a drug laced with an unknown substance is high. And when that happens, the effect can be deadly.
This became all too real earlier in November 2018 when two 19-year-old best friends died after taking a pill they thought was Percocet. They were looking to use the drug to experience euphoria, which is what most recreational drug users are seeking when using this narcotic painkiller. However, the Percocet was laced with fentanyl, which is similar to morphine but can be up to 100 times more powerful.
The boys thought they were consuming 100% Percocet, because the pill was stamped with the trademark “P.” The boys were star athletes, had no history of drug use, and had simply been hanging out together playing video games and eating pizza. It’s unclear how the boys got the pills or what made them decide to take them, but by the time they were found by one of their mothers, they had been dead for hours.
Detectives quickly discovered the pills were laced with 50% fentanyl and informed the family that even just two grains of table-salt-size fentanyl was enough to kill an adult. The boys had been dosed with many times that amount.
Protect Your Family from Recreational Drugs
There are many things you can do to keep recreational drugs out of your home. Here are some tips:
1. Always follow instructions for prescription medication and properly dispose of any unused medication immediately. Never keep unused prescriptions around the house, and keep those you are using out of reach of children or locked in a safe.
2. Talk to your kids about the dangers of drug use. Tell them about stories like this one to warn them.
3. If you witness someone abusing prescription drugs, let authorities know. This will ensure the drugs are properly disposed of and the person gets the help they need.
4. Recreational drug use can also lead to car crashes. Drug users may get behind the wheel despite the fact they are unable to concentrate or stay alert. This puts others in danger, and if you see someone driving who you suspect is under the influence of drugs, put distance between your car and theirs and call 911 when you can safety do so.
5. Put in a call to the parents of your child’s friends. Make sure they don’t keep prescription medication around, and encourage them to have conversations with their children.
Unfortunately, it only takes one instance of drug abuse for someone to become seriously injured or die, and teenagers and young adults need to understand the fatal consequences.