The city of Mercer Island recently posted an online message to the community regarding the dangers of heavily THC-laced products circulating in the region.
According to the city, some of the harmful effects of the homemade drugs include a high risk of overdose and triggering of mental health episodes. To apprise the community of these products, which are often targeted toward youth and young adults, the Mercer Island Police Department, Youth and Family Services (YFS) and the Mercer Island School District continue their joint effort on focusing on local and regional drug awareness, prevention and distribution enforcement.
“While most students on Mercer Island are not consuming these types of substances, it is important that parents are talking early and often with their children about the risks associated with consuming alcohol, cannabis and other drugs, especially if the content of the product is unknown,” the city noted.
Last month, YFS’s administrator Tambi Cork, police chief Ed Holmes and school district superintendent Fred Rundle collaboratively penned a letter to the school district community telling of the dangers of “rainbow fentanyl,” which resembles sidewalk chalk and candy in the form of pills, powders and blocks.
As Mercer Island High School’s Homecoming neared on the week of Oct. 3, Cork, Holmes and Rundle released another letter to the school community encouraging parents to help their teens make responsible decisions when potentially being faced with choices and situations involving drugs and alcohol. They referenced YFS’s Healthy Youth Initiative, which is concentrated on promoting a drug and alcohol-free Homecoming.
The trio reiterated the dangers of fentanyl in the latest letter and suggested that parents have a frank conversation with their children about the substance.
“Taking steps to inform your child about what these drugs are, what they look like, and their extreme danger is critical to preventing overdose tragedies,” they wrote.
In the city’s message, it noted that YFS recommends checking out the Start Talking Now website, which states that discussions revolving around drugs and alcohol can be challenging but they’re crucial in helping keep kids safe and healthy. “Spend time with your teen, have frequent conversations, and do fun things together,” the site notes.
Another site that YFS suggests that parents peruse is the Partnership to End Addiction and its Prevention Tips for Every Age, which says to, “Keep lines of communication open and make sure you come from a place of love and compassion — even when you’re having tough conversations.”
For more information, visit https://www.mihealthyyouth.com/headlines/lacedandlethal; https://drugfree.org/; and https://starttalkingnow.org/
