This March, L.A. CADA is looking at the illegal use of opioids among American youth. If you're close to someone who may be abusing opioids, there are things you can do:

• Increase your awareness of opioid abuse. Opioids are the most commonly abused drug among youth, including prescription oxycodone, codeine, hydromorphone, and morphine. Fentanyl is particularly dangerous as it is synthetic opioid that is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine. Opioids are frequently used with stimulants (such as methamphetamine, cocaine, Adderall, or Ritalin). Overdose deaths due to opioids have increased 500% among 15- to 24-year-olds in the last 25 years.
• Know the signs of opioid overdose. This may include constricted pupils, lose of consciousness, slow shallow breathing, choking/gurgling sounds, limp body, and discolored skin, nails, or lips.
• Keep Naloxone on hand. This medication quickly reverses an opioid overdose by blocking the effects. It restores normal breathing within 2 to 3 minutes in a person whose breath has slowed, or even stopped, as a result of opioid overdose. It comes in the form of a nasal spray available over-the-counter and online (you don't need a prescription). You can use this map to find it for free near you. Be aware that more than one dose of naloxone may be required when stronger opioids like fentanyl are involved.
Act to save a life. It may be hard to tell if a person is high or experiencing an opioid overdose. If you aren't sure, it's best to treat the event like an overdose. The order of action includes:
Call 911
1. Administer Naloxone
2. Try to keep the person awake and breathing.
3. Lay the person on his/her side to prevent chocking.
4. Stay with the person until emergency workers arrive.

Next week, L.A. CADA's blog explores opioid treatment for youth. We can provide you with more information, as well as access to overdose medication. L.A. CADA is here for you at (562) 906-2676

This March, L.A. CADA is looking at the illegal use of opioids among American youth. We've learned that most adults who abuse opioids begin using as a teenager and we've also discussed the warning signs of youth opioid abuse. What now?

If you suspect signs or symptoms of opioid use or misuse in a young person you care about, it's time to have a serious conversation about the dangers of opioids and drug abuse. It's important to keep the conversation civil, caring, and focused on facts. Here are some things to know:

Review the facts: warning signs of opioid abuse
• Discuss the behavioral changes you've observed and ask what your teen in going through. Having face-to-face conversations with teens after they socialize with friends can be an important time to catch signs or clues of drug use. Remember that talking to teenagers about their possible drug use can be difficult and uncomfortable, but know that taking early action is an important step to getting the right help.
• Use collective efforts. It's important to involve all parents or guardians in the discussion before speaking to the child to ensure a common stance on drug use, and family alignment on rules and boundaries. If the youth is involved in church or sports, it's useful to involve a respected member of the faith community or someone at the teen's school.
• Have a resource at hand. Many community-based organizations can help; L.A. CADA for one offers good Youth and Family programs that you can use as a treatment resource.

And join us next week as we examine what opioid treatment entails. L.A. CADA can provide you with more information, access to overdose medication, and treatment programs for youth and young adults. We're here for you at (562) 906-2676

This March, L.A. CADA is looking at the illegal use of opioids among American youth. Opioids are drugs prescribed by physicians to treat severe pain. Unfortunately, they are also drugs that are abused by both adults and youth for their ability to create a brief sense of well-being. Most young people obtain opioids from friends and family members, but these drugs are easily available on the streets of local neighborhoods.

Knowing what to look for to spot the signs of teenage drug abuse can be key to getting help early, and preventing further misuse and accidental overdoses. Yet, this can be adults because the signs and symptoms of teenage opioid abuse often overlap with the symptoms of common mood disorders, such as anxiety or depression. They can be hard to discern from normal teenage behavior like mood swings or changes in behavior.

For parents concerned about their children, here are five warning signs of teenage opiate abuse or misuse:

• Mood swings. Puberty is a temperamental time for both teens and parents. Mood and behavior changes can be common, but mood swings attributed to opioid abuse are even more severe. Youth who may be abusing these drugs can become sullen, withdrawn and depressed, or they could be hostile, angry and uncooperative. Look for sudden or dramatic changes in mood or personality.
• Changes in behavior. Opioid addiction can cause behavioral changes such as changes in sleeping or eating habits, the deterioration of important relationships, and/or a lack of interest in or motivation for once activities that used to be important. Behavioral changes due to opioid abuse can leave teenagers unable to fulfill school and work obligations. If a young person's grades are slipping for no apparent reason or they're withdrawn from their extracurricular activities, it could be a sign of opioid abuse or another underlying issue.
• Physical cues. Noticeable physical symptoms include a smoke or burn smell and a messy appearance or hygiene issues. Teens who are abusing opioids may also display certain physical side effects, including red or flushed cheeks, constricted pupils, slowed breathing, constipation, confusion, drowsiness or noticeable moments of elation or euphoria. Some teenagers may go into withdrawal by coming down from their last high or in an effort to stop using drugs. They may experience withdrawal symptoms such as a headache, nausea, diarrhea, sweating, and increased anxiety or paranoia. If your teenager is sleeping a lot or seems to be "feeling ill" offer to take him/her to the doctor for a checkup. A truly sick child will not refuse a trip to the doctor for relief, but it may be a red flag if your teenager resists a visit to your family provider.

Join L.A. CADA's Blog next week when we provide some tips for parents on how to discuss opioid use with a young person you love. We're here if you need us. Call (562) 906-2676

The illegal use of opioids is epidemic in America. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) tells us that every day 187 Americans die from overdoses involving prescription opioids. As the opioid crisis in our communities worsens, more and more youth are the unintended victims.

Opioids work by blocking pain messages that are sent from our bodies through the spinal cord to the brain. These drugs trigger the release of endorphins which tells our brain that we feel good. In our stress-filled world, they boost feelings of pleasure and give us a short, but powerful, sense of well-being. For that reason, opioids can be highly addictive. Prescribed by doctors, they are often available to youth in the family medicine chest. The most abused opioids are fentanyl, oxycodone, codeine, as well as hydromorphone and morphine - many of which are now available to young people on the streets of our cities.

Research tells us that most adults with opioid use disorders (OUDs) started using opioids before the age of twenty-five, with one-third of them using before the age of eighteen, Unfortunately, the availability of opioids changed dramatically during the Covid-19 epidemic, increasing exposure to fentanyl which has resulted in related overdoses and deaths for young people. At the same time, treatment options were severely limited due to the lockdown of schools and the reduced capacity of treatment programs.

Adolescence is a critical high-risk period for the initiation of substance use and progression to addiction. Teens with substance use disorders experience higher rates of physical and mental illnesses and diminished overall health and well-being. Studies have documented that behaviors and experiences related to sexual behavior, high-risk substance use, violence victimization, and mental health contribute to substantial morbidity in youth, including risk for HIV, STDs, and teen pregnancy. Data indicate that these four risk behaviors co-occur, and some young people may experience more than one risk behavior.

Join us next week as we examine the warning signs of opioid use in youth.