All drugs are bad, let’s get that out of the way first. There are no safe drugs. Unfortunately, kids will still try them. According to reports, illicit drug use among 8th graders saw a sharp 60 percent rise over the last few years and as many as 50 percent of teenagers report using an illicit drug at least once.
These are alarming statistics for parents trying to keep their kids off drugs. Hard drugs pose an especially dangerous risk to the youth of America. With new drugs popping up all the time, it can be hard for parents to keep up with the hard drugs readily available to kids.
Here are 7 hard street drugs for parents to be aware of.
Fentanyl
Fentanyl is an incredibly powerful opioid that is nearly 100 times more potent than morphine. Fentanyl is a dangerous drug that can cause addiction or death with a single use. Of all the opioid-related fatalities in California, nearly 90 percent can be traced back to fentanyl.
Carfentanil
Carfentanil is a sedative for very large animals and it’s nearly 100 more powerful than fentanyl. It may be the most powerful opioid in the world. Unfortunately, it is also added to other street drugs making overdose and fatality probable.
Methamphetamines
Methamphetamines are synthetic stimulants manufactured on the streets with common products like drain cleaners and battery acid. They are among the most addictive hard drugs that damage the body, causing psychosis and keeping the user up for days.
Heroin
Heroin is another one of the most addictive hard drugs that damage the body. Many times, the damage is irreversible. Heroin is highly addictive and often cut with fentanyl, increasing the chances of fatal overdose.
Synthetic Cannabis
The unpredictability is what lands synthetic cannabis on the list of hard drugs. Synthetic cannabis is referred to as a psychoactive substance by researchers because of the psychosis it often causes. Unsuspecting kids think they’re smoking legal weed and get into trouble.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines like Valium or Xanax have prescribed medications that cause a euphoric feeling and have a sedative effect on the user. Fentanyl is often added to the pills manufactured on the street making them deadly.
Oxycodone
Oxycodone is an opioid pain killer available by prescription which also happens to be one of the most abused hard drugs in America. Its powerful properties make it highly addictive even when taken as prescribed. Fentanyl is often added to Oxycodone pills which are manufactured by drug dealers making them even more addictive and in some cases deadly.
The Dangers of Hard Drugs
All drugs are bad but hard drugs can be highly addictive and deadly in a single use. These street drugs are common and readily available for kids who want to try them. Empowering kids with the knowledge necessary to avoid hard drugs is the best defense you can give them. Drug abuse carries serious consequences and can be difficult to overcome. Helping kids avoid hard drugs is the best way to keep them safe.
