San Diego is Ground Zero in The Drug War

San Diego, California, is currently undergoing a massive drug crisis that has overwhelmed our law enforcement agencies as well as our emergency response capabilities as it has resulted in an epidemic of accidental overdose fatalities, and these victims are increasingly under the age of 30.

San Diego is an Epicenter for Illicit Substances

The United States Government Office of National Drug Control Policy designates certain areas in the U.S. as HIDTAs, or High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas. These areas are known to be exceptionally active when it comes to the manufacture, production, and distribution of illicit substances like methamphetamine, heroin, and, most recently, fentanyl.

Law enforcement has seen an explosion in fentanyl seizures, with one report from that National Institute on Drug Abuse stating that 2,300 times as many fentanyl doses were seized in 2023, compared to just six years prior in 2017. In 2023 alone, over 105.5 million pills were seized by law enforcement. San Diego accounted for a significant portion of the seizures, with over 8.2 million doses confiscated in just Q2 of 2023.

San Diego and its neighboring Los Angeles County are designated HIDTA regions, in part due to their proximity to the sea and land borders, where many of the United States’ illicit substances are produced and brought across the border. China and Mexico are the biggest producers of the fentanyl that makes its way into the United States, with many doses making their way to San Diego through land and sea borders, as well as through the mail.

San Diego’s geographic location combined with heavy tourism, economic disparity, and the large city size make it one of the nation’s biggest fentanyl hotspots.

Why Fentanyl is So Dangerous for Teenagers

Fentanyl

is by far one of the most deadly drugs of abuse. It’s a synthetic opioid that can be legally prescribed to manage pain. However, in recent years, fentanyl has exploded as a drug of abuse in the United States, and according to the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, fentanyl is one of the leading causes of overdose deaths.

Not only is fentanyl incredibly addictive, it’s highly unregulated and easy to overdose on. It’s also cheap to produce, especially relative to other drugs. Illicit drug manufacturers often “cut” other substances with the synthetic opioid, meaning that many people ingest fentanyl without even realizing it. San Diego County alone sees over 800 fentanyl-related deaths per year.

Tragically, adolescents are often a prime target of drug dealers and traffickers. This is for several reasons, including:

Teenagers are often impressionable
They want to “fit in,” so they will take substances at the urging of their peers and older adults
Adolescents are discovering their autonomy from their family support and see drug experimentation as part of gaining that independence
Their brains are still developing, so they lack the foresight and wisdom to stay away from highly addictive substances
More than ever, teens are finding illegal substances through social media and online sources, meaning there are more opportunities for drug distributors to market to adolescents

How to Protect Your Teenager from Fentanyl

Addressing your child’s drug and alcohol use can be scary and overwhelming for parents. If you’re worried about your child and don’t know how to begin dealing with this new world of synthetic, cheap, easily accessible opioids, you’re not alone. Parents all around the United States are struggling to figure out how to keep their kids safe in a society where dangerous drugs seem to be everywhere.

Here are some tips to keep your children safe from fentanyl:

Maintain an open dialogue with them. Talking with your children about the risks and dangers of illicit substances is essential. As their parent, it’s your responsibility to help them stay informed and educated about the hazards and perils of drugs. Explain to them what fentanyl is and why it should be avoided at all costs. Talk to them about the risks and statistics, as well as how to avoid accidentally ingesting fentanyl.
Encourage them to gain independence in healthy ways. As they transition into adulthood, teenagers are itching to gain freedom and autonomy from their parents. Help your teen find safe and healthy ways to build their sense of identity and independence. This could look like getting a driver’s permit, finding their first job, and engaging in college preparation courses.
Observe for the signs that your child might be struggling with addiction. If you notice changes in your teenager, you should investigate. Warning signs that your team might be using fentanyl include acting withdrawn, losing weight rapidly, appearing exceptionally tired or low energy, skipping school, and isolating from family.
Maintain strict boundaries with your child. While your teen may be in the process of gaining more freedom, they are still under your care and supervision. If you’re worried they might be heading down the wrong path, consider implementing stricter boundaries and curfews. You may also want to think about limiting their social time or time spent outside of the house or school. Getting to know their friends and monitoring their social media might also be necessary.
Consider substance abuse treatment to address concerning drug-using behaviors. If you find out that your adolescent is using drugs and alcohol, you may want to consider a treatment program to help them. Early intervention is often particularly helpful in addiction.

Reach Out Today

When it comes to educating your teenagers about the risks of fentanyl and synthetic opioids, you can never be too prepared, especially in San Diego where the problems are only becoming more dire. Open communication, education, positive activities, and healthy boundaries are important for keeping your child safe from fentanyl and the kind of people who would encourage opioid-using behaviors.

If you need assistance connecting with your teenager and want to address their possible fentanyl use with a trained empathetic substance abuse counselor and you live in the San Diego area, contact Confidential Recovery today.

About the Author

Scott H. Silverman is a high-profile expert on addiction and recovery, making frequent public and media appearances for the last 40 years. He is the author of The Opioid Epidemic, and the Founder and CEO of Confidential Recovery, a San Diego substance abuse treatment center specializing in helping Veterans and First Responders get and stay sober.

Scott H. Silverman, Special to California Business Journal