Our kids’ newest drug threat is disguised as colorful sidewalk chalk or candy pieces.
This deadly drug is being sold to children and teens as candy or sidewalk chalk.
ROANOKE (VA) – While the colorful tablets distributed by drug dealers might seem like candy, they are actually called “rainbow Fentanyl.”
This drug is being sold to teenagers and children as a potentially fatal one.
The police in our area are working hard to keep one step ahead, but it is getting harder.
“We discuss it in law enforcement every day. We are trying to put out a forest fire using a fire extinguisher. It can sometimes get really frustrating,” said First Sergeant Joe Crowder with Virginia State Police.
Their latest concern is rainbow fentanyl, which they believe is attractive to youth.
“If they target younger communities, I call it sustained addiction. Crowder says that if you can get young communities addicted, it sustains your profit.
Our area has already been infected by counterfeit opioids.
Teens who buy Xanax, Adderal, or oxycodone pills from a friend or street can be at risk.
Crowder says, “If you take a pill from the street right now, you can almost predict — 99 percent certain it will be fentanyl.”
It is important to keep children away from drugs.
Crowder said that the state police cooperate with organizations such as the Prevention Council of Roanoke County.
Nancy Hans, executive director of the Prevention Council, stated that “We are concerned that parents really pay close attention to these things and what they look like.”
Hans claims that even the most vigilant parents are more likely to let their children have their own phones than they are to drug traffickers.
Young people can find pills on social media if they are searching for them.
“There are many young people, college students and teens who say that they just need to get rid of their anxiety. Hans says that all they need is something and can get it easily through Snapchat.
“All these stimulants are being pressed with fentanyl. That’s what is dangerous.” Crowder says that some of the fentanyl analogues, synthetics, and some of our stimulants, are being pressed using crystal methamphetamine.
Hans states that trying to obtain pharmaceuticals to manage anxiety or other issues is a significant contributor to the problem.
She is asking parents to be aware of what is happening with their children and to seek help when needed.
Hans says, “It’s normal that things in your life aren’t going according to plan. You think you need a pill. But, you really do need a conversation.”
