• Criminal drug networks are mass-producing fake pills and marketing them as legitimate prescription pills to deceive the American public. Source

• 6 out of every 10 pills with Fentanyl contain a potentially lethal dose. Source

• Deaths caused by fentanyl in Florida increased by 81% in 2020, making it the most dangerous drug in the state. Source

• E-cigarette companies claim that their products are intended for adults, but skyrocketing rates among teens tell a different story. In 2020, 21.6% of Florida high school students reported current e-cigarette use. Source

• A single e-cigarette pod (the liquid nicotine refill) contains as much nicotine as a pack of 20 regular cigarettes. Source

• According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, drug and alcohol misuse cost the U.S. a staggering $740 billion each year. Research shows that for every dollar spent preventing drug abuse, the costs dropped by an average of $18! Source

• Youth who begin drinking before they are 15 are four times more likely to develop alcohol dependency. Source

• According to the CDC, about 50,000 young children end up in emergency rooms each year because they got into medicines while an adult wasn’t looking. Source

• Deterra’s Drug Deactivation System is the most effective, easiest to use system for safely destroying medications. Source

• Is your teen acting differently? Click here to learn how to recognize the signs of drug use: Source

DFD Jax provides free training to the community several times a month. We offer Narcan training and free Narcan kits twice a month, and once a month, we offer free training on Safe Storage and Safe Disposal of Medications. To register, click below:

• Narcan

• Safe Storage & Disposal

Over half of all college students involved in campus activities are subject to hazing, with alcohol-related hazing deaths increasing at an alarming rate. Source

With an uptick in reports to the nation's poison centers and an increase in online marketing to kids, the FDA is warning the public about health risks with Delta THC products. Source

The American Academy of Pediatricians cautions that marijuana use during pregnancy can lead to serious health problems, including stillbirth, preterm birth, and growth and development issues. Source

The CDC is warning that combining xylazine, an animal tranquilizer, with fentanyl is cause for serious concern. Drug overdose deaths from the combined drugs has been called an emerging threat by the White House. .Source

Florida's Amendment 3, the Marijuana Legalization Initiative, is a Constitutional Amendment legalizing marijuana for adults 21 years and older and allowing individuals to possess up to three ounces of marijuana. Click here to learn more about this initiative.

Due to its proximity to drug-producing countries, criminal groups frequently smuggle large quantities of illicit drugs, including fentanyl, to Florida. Learn more about the fight against illicit drug smuggling across Florida's border. Source

Mental health conditions are associated with increased impulsivity and risk-taking behaviors which can lead to substance use. Discover the connection between mental health and substance abuse in teens. Source

Social Media can have a negative influence on teen drug use. Learn how to monitor and guide your teen's social media use to prevent substance abuse. Source

We have seen several emerging drug trends in 2024 including the rise of synthetic opioids and fentanyl as well as social media platforms increasingly used for drug promotion. Stay ahead of the emerging drug trends affecting our communities. Source