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Raising Teens

We Know How to Fight This: Flavored Marijuana

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If it feels like vaping is suddenly everywhere, you’re not imagining it.

Local reports and data from this past year show a sharp rise in the number of kids—especially middle schoolers—vaping flavored marijuana (cannabis).

The sweet flavors can make these products seem harmless, but experts warn that they’re driving addiction and causing real problems at school, with friends, and at home.

Photo credit: news.umich.edu

As a parent or caregiver, that can feel overwhelming. But here’s the encouraging part: we know how to fight this.
Twenty-five years ago, more than a third of teens smoked cigarettes. Today? That number is down to just 3%. 

Cigarettes didn’t vanish—our approach changed. Parents, schools, and entire communities came together to reshape policies, expectations, and conversations. And it worked. We can do the same thing with vaping marijuana.

Three Powerful Ways Parents Can Help

You don’t need a long script or special training. What matters most is staying engaged, connected, and clear with your kids:

1. Talk Often
 Regular, short, and honest conversations are far more effective than a single “big talk.” Ask what your child is hearing at school. Share what you know. Keep the door open.

2. Be Clear About Expectations
 Kids actually want to know where you stand. Let your child know you don’t want them using marijuana in any form—including vaping. Clarity helps them make safer choices.

3. Stay Close
 A strong relationship with a caring adult is one of the biggest protective factors against substance use. Your presence, attention, and support truly matter.

You’re Not Alone

Parenting through a changing landscape of substances can feel tough, but you don’t have to navigate it by yourself.
Parent Up offers tools, conversation starters, and resources to help you open these discussions and keep them going.

Together – just like we did with cigarettes – we can protect our kids and create healthier futures.

What’s Next:

– Parent Up Staff

Parenting: The Quiet Heartbreak of Doing Your Best

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Miranda Jamison is a local parent and the lead reporter for The Richmond News and The Excelsior Springs Standard. She covers everything from local government and education to the people and events that make small-town Missouri thrive. 

Passionate about storytelling, Miranda strives to write pieces that inform, connect, and inspire her community. When she’s not covering a meeting or writing a feature, she enjoys time with her daughter, Aurora, who inspires much of the heart behind her work.

Parenting doesn’t always break your heart in loud or dramatic ways.

Most of the time, it’s quieter. It happens when the house is still, the workday feels endless and you suddenly realize your child has been waiting for you to notice the time slipping by. It’s the kind of heartbreak that doesn’t come from a single moment but from the slow awareness that love, no matter how strong, sometimes gets buried beneath responsibility.

The other night, my daughter Aurora told me she feels like I am always working. She said when we go somewhere, it’s usually an event for my job, and that even when we’re home, I’m on my computer late into the night. Her voice wasn’t angry, just honest. To her, work had become the quiet wall between us.

Parents everywhere know that sinking feeling. You try to explain work isn’t a choice, it’s what keeps life running. You tell them it’s what allows the lights to stay on, the bills to be paid and the small joys to be possible. But no matter how carefully you explain it, the words never feel like enough. They sound like excuses when what they want most is your time.

That conversation with my daughter felt like a small knife in the chest, not because  she meant to hurt me but because she was right. It wasn’t about neglect or disinterest – it was about the cost of doing your best. Every parent tries to balance a dozen worlds at once and the guilt comes not from failing, but from realizing that success in one part of life can look like absence in another.

When she spoke, I saw years of late nights, phone calls during dinner and events blurring the line between personal and professional. To me, those moments were a sign of dedication. To her, they were evidence she didn’t have my full attention.

Both of us were right and both of us were hurting.

It’s easy to romanticize parenthood as a perfect story filled with laughter, bedtime hugs and shared adventures. What often gets left out is the moment when your child shares something, forcing you to see yourself more clearly. The part where your best intentions are overshadowed by regret. Parenting isn’t just love and patience, it’s constant recalibration.

After our talk, we sat in silence for a while. She leaned her head on my shoulder and neither of us said much. That silence was its own kind of understanding. It wasn’t forgiveness exactly, just a quiet truce between love and the world that keeps intruding on it.

Later that night, after she went to bed, I stared at the computer screen and wondered how many moments I had traded for another hour of work. The thought wasn’t about guilt, exactly. It was about recognition. The realization I had been moving too fast to notice the small things she’d been missing.

The truth is, working parents live with a constant tug-of-war. You want to provide stability, but that pursuit can start to erase the very presence your children crave. You tell yourself they’ll understand someday, when they’re grown and see the bills, deadlines and expectations. But what if the understanding never fully replaces the memory of distance?

 My daughter’s words echoed in my head long after she went to bed. “You’re always
 working.” Simple, but true. It reminded me that childhood moves quickly, while the work never ends. The emails will always come. The stories, the meetings, the demands – they refill faster than you can finish them.

But a child’s voice asking for your attention doesn’t stay young forever.

That night, I made a quiet promise to be more aware. Not to do more, or plan more, but to notice more. To pause before answering another email. To hear my daughter when she speaks, not just listen while thinking about what comes next.

Parenting rarely offers do-overs. It does give softer chances, though. Those small, unseen moments where we realize we’ve been running too fast to feel what matters. Awareness becomes its own kind of apology. It’s not about grand gestures or perfect balance. It’s about slowing down enough to let love be noticed.

Since that conversation, I’ve caught myself paying closer attention. The sound of her laughter, the stories she tells in half-sentences, the way her eyes light up when she’s proud of something. They’re ordinary things, easy to overlook, but they’ve started to feel like reminders that connection doesn’t demand time – it demands presence. 

Every parent carries the weight of two truths: that we work to give our children the best and that in doing so, we sometimes drift away from the very people we’re working for. We chase security, comfort, opportunity – all noble things – but in the process, we risk missing the quiet, unremarkable beauty of simply being there.

There’s no easy fix. Bills won’t disappear, jobs won’t slow down and the world won’t suddenly hand us more hours in a day. But maybe it’s not about finding more time. Maybe it’s about recognizing the time that already exists, tucked between moments we’ve convinced ourselves are too busy to matter.

Parenting doesn’t have a finish line or a final grade. There’s no scoreboard to tell you how you’re doing. Some nights you’ll feel like you’re failing and maybe that’s part of the work. The ache of it means you care deeply enough to notice the gap between what you give and what they need.

The heartbreak of parenting isn’t a sign of failure – it’s proof of love. It’s the quiet reminder that our hearts are tied to something we can’t control, something that grows and pulls away and depends on us, yet dreams of independence. It’s knowing every moment of closeness is temporary and love demands showing up anyway.

That night with my daughter subtly changed something in me. It didn’t eliminate responsibilities, but it shifted how I see them. Deadlines still matter, but sometimes the story can wait, and work can be paused.

Because in the end, children won’t remember how hard we worked. They’ll remember if we looked up. They’ll remember the warmth in our voice, laughter during late dinners and walks that didn’t have a purpose beyond being together.

It’s humbling to realize love and effort don’t always look the same from both sides. To a child, love looks like time. To a parent, love often looks like sacrifice. The hardest part of parenting is trying to show both at once and forgiving yourself when you fall short.

That’s what makes it heartbreaking. You can give everything you have and still wish you had given it differently. But even in that ache, there’s beauty.

Because every parent who feels that tug, that guilt, that deep want to do better – is already doing something right.

Love doesn’t demand perfection. It simply asks us to keep showing up, keep trying and never stop listening when our children remind us what truly matters.

Medicine Safety: Help Protect Kids Now & in the Future

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In light of the opioid epidemic and with fentanyl already in our communities, it’s more important than ever to teach our younger kids about medication safety. By being proactive now, we can reduce the number of accidental poisonings directly and lay a foundation to protect our kids well into their future.

It’s not too early to start with age-appropriate education about medicine safety. According to the Missouri Poison Center, students can begin to self-medicate around age 11. According to research, beginning preventative education with young elementary school children has been shown to reduce the likelihood of chronic substance use in high school, and communication is an essential part of keeping our children healthy and safe! 

Below are five actionable tips and practices about medicine safety we can implement now while our children are still young to help them make safe choices related to medicines when they grow up:

1. Teach your child that they should only take medicine from trusted adults. Make a list of who these people are and remind them of this often.

2. Model responsible medication safety by never sharing medications or using someone else’s medications. Continually reinforce this message with your child, explaining that they should never share medication or take someone else’s medication.

3. Keep medications in their original containers to avoid confusion with other medicines or candy. This is also important because each medication has its own dosage, warnings, and directions for use. One of the most common mistakes when it comes to medication is accidental double dosing.

4. Always store medicine in a safe place, such as a place only you know about or a high shelf that children can’t reach. Don’t keep medicine in your bathroom medicine cabinet where anyone can find it.

5. Participate in regular safe medication disposal. Keeping unused, unwanted, or expired medication out of the house entirely will drastically limit the risks to kids. This fall, the DEA’s Drug Take Back Day is on Saturday, October 25th, 2025, where people can safely dispose of their prescription pills. Find a list of our local drop boxes in the Kansas City Northland here that are open all year long.

Thank you for taking the time to have these conversations and reinforce these medication safety practices.

Give this article a share and help protect all kids in our communities!

 

– Parent Up KC Staff

More Resources:

Teen Vaping is Down, But Nicotine Use is Up – Here’s Why

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There’s a new nicotine trend taking hold among teens, and it’s not vaping. Usage of this product amongst high schoolers nearly doubled between 2023 and 2024, fueled by the aggressive marketing and the promise of being “tobacco-free.” 

Unfortunately, these small, flavored pouches are packed with potent doses of nicotine that make them highly addictive and especially harmful to teens who are intrigued by the discreet packaging, affordable price ($4-6 per pack), and accessibility. 

Many teens believe these products are safer than smoking or vaping, but the truth is nicotine pouches pose serious risks to youth health like addiction, brain development issues, and other long-term impacts.

What are Nicotine Pouches?

Nicotine pouches are compact, white packets that contain nicotine, flavorings, and other ingredients, but no tobacco. The pouch is tucked between a person’s lip or cheek where the nicotine is absorbed into the bloodstream through the mucus membranes in the mouth. 

The pouches can be left in the mouth for 15 to 60 minutes, but there are no directions that explicitly share the instructions (seriously – try and find more specific directions for use. We’ll wait.) Because nicotine pouches do not produce smoke or vapor, they’re harder for parents to detect.

The nicotine in these products are either synthetic or derived from tobacco and can come in a variety of flavors. Typically, the nicotine pouches are sold in tins of 15 to 20 pouches and can be sold in a variety of nicotine strengths.

For example, the popular brand Zyn offers both 3 mg and 6 mg of nicotine per pouch. Other brands like Velo, Rogue, or On! can range from 2-30 mg per pouch!

The nicotine ingested from one 6 mg Zyn would be the equivalent to smoking 2-3 cigarettes, and users are not aware of the full nicotine amount in each pouch, which means some are using multiple pouches a day!​

American Lung Association

Here’s Why Nicotine Pouches Are Harmful to Youth

Nicotine pouches may seem like a safer alternative to smoking or vaping for teens who aren’t familiar with the health risks, but these pouches still deliver high doses of nicotine – a highly addictive and harmful substance, especially for teens with growing brains. 

Despite lacking tobacco, these products contain synthetic or purified nicotine that can disrupt brain development, harm learning and memory, and increase vulnerability to addiction, especially if there’s a family history of addiction. 

In fact, nicotine itself can damage the heart, increase heart rate and blood pressure, and harden arteries over time. Mental health isn’t spared either – mental health issues like anxiety, irritability, and mood swings can be increased by nicotine use.

Signs Your Teen Might Be Using Nicotine Pouches

Nicotine pouch use can be subtle, but there are warning signs:

  • Look for mood changes like irritability, anxiety, or restlessness, which may signal nicotine withdrawal
  • Physical symptoms like frequent  headaches, nausea, or dizziness without a clear cause can also be a clue
  • Finding small round tins, white gum-like pouches, or noticing fruity or minty smells may indicate use
  • Gum or mouth irritation is another possible sign

How to Talk to Your Teen About Nicotine Pouches

  • Get Prepared: You’ll want to share the physical and mental health risks of using nicotine with your child to support your stance. Here’s a quick recap of all we’ve discussed so far:
      • Nicotine is not safe for youth. Using nicotine during adolescence can:
      • Greatly increase the risk of addiction to nicotine, especially if there is a family history of addiction
      • Harm brain development, which continues until about age 25!
      • Negatively impact learning, memory, and attention now and into adulthood
      • Nicotine can increase mood swings, anxiety, and irritability

  • Set Expectations: You’ll want to explain your family rules about nicotine use to your child, including consequences, with consistency and care. Make sure you’re clear on these expectations and consequences yourself before talking to your child, so you can clearly explain them during your conversations. Find help with setting expectations here. 😉

  • Lead with Curiosity, Not Confrontation: Remember, the goal is to build and grow a relationship with your teen that is honest, trusting, and open – which is an important protective factor to safeguard them from nicotine and other substance use! 
      • Start your conversations calmly; practice refraining from judgement or anger
      • It’s more important – and effective– to listen and discuss rather than to lecture
      • Take a strong stance against teen nicotine use, expressing care and concern 
      • Be curious and open-minded about kids’ experiences: ask them what they think, know, or have heard about nicotine pouches (like Zyn) or if anyone at school uses them
      • Emphasize the health and independence of a no-nicotine lifestyle, which appeals to their sense of autonomy and long-term goals
      • Give your child the opportunity to ask you questions – even if you don’t know the answer, you can look into it together!
      • Keep the dialogue open and let them know they can come to you with more questions or for help

  • Talk Often!: Have regular conversations about your nicotine-free expectations, including cigarettes, vapes, and nicotine products like pouches, lozenges, and gum.
      • These conversations are more likely to be successful when they take place more casually like while driving in the car, taking a walk, or washing dishes after dinner
      • Taking advantage of these smaller moments and potential in-roads will help the conversation seem less threatening and more natural
      • Use the environment to spur conversation, like when you see an advertisement for nicotine pouches or other products, or watching a movie with your teen that shows nicotine use

What Else Can Parents Do?

  • Let your child know you will help them if they’re using nicotine to seek relief from anxiety, stress, etc. Assure your child that their mental well-being is a priority and that they have options for relief other than taking matters into their own hands. Discuss the steps to legally and safely obtain appropriate medications from a doctor, if needed.
  • Prepare kids for peer pressure. It might sound cheesy, but these roleplays let your child know you support them and they do help give them confidence if a situation arises where they need to say “no.” You can also work with your teen to come up with a code word to text you if they feel like they need your help to get out of an unsafe situation.
  • Find support from your child’s dentist, coaches, doctor, youth leaders, and teachers.
    Ask them if they can help support your nicotine-free expectations in their interactions with your child. Make the ask even easier by bringing a handout like this to refer to and leave with them. Building a village of support is so important to prevention, and can be especially crucial if you suspect your child may be using nicotine.
  • Support teens who want to quit nicotine without stigma or shame. If a teen you know wants to quit, they can get free, confidential support from a My Life My Quit coach at MO.MyLifeMyQuit.org. They can also text ‘Start My Quit’ to 36072. This local cessation resource sends them tips to help them quit nicotine for good.

The bottom line: No matter the device or method, nicotine is harmful for kids. Stay informed. Stay connected. Keep the conversation going. You’ve got this!

Parent Up KC

Discreet and Sweet: Steering Kids Clear of Fruity Nicotine Gum, Tablets, & Pouches

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There’s a new trend with teens, especially among those who have tried smoking or vaping: New fruity nicotine gums, tablets, pouches, and lozenges. Popular brands among teens include products from Zyn, Lucy, Rogue, Velo, Solace, On!, and Juice Head. These products may be small, but they pack an addictive nicotine punch. When powerful nicotine is mixed with fruity flavors, flashy marketing, and bright packaging, it’s no wonder kids fall prey.

Doesn’t this all sound familiar? Youth-friendly marketing and discreet delivery of highly concentrated nicotine is what landed the tobacco and vaping industry in hot water in the first place.

These fruity nicotine products are also very inexpensive compared to vaping products – generally under $6.00 – and teens see them as “less harmful” because they’re “tobacco-free.” These claims falsely imply these products are healthier and safer than vaping or smoking, when in reality the real threat to our youth is in the highly concentrated nicotine contained in these products.

Advertisements found on Amazon.com (https://www.amazon.com/Nicotine-Lozenges-Cleaner-Alternative-Convenient/dp/B093JNFHSR and https://www.amazon.com/Nicotine-Count-Citrus-Berry-Alternative/dp/B09XWVKJV4)

When it comes to teens, addiction experts and prevention researchers agree: 

“Exposure to nicotine can interfere with healthy brain development among teens, worsen mood disorders and mental health problems, and affect their ability to learn and pay attention…It also puts them at increased risk of addiction to other substances, as well as other products containing nicotine.”

Zyn advertisement found at https://uk.zyn.com/. Velo advertisement found on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsbCQST4qRM.
Rogue ad proudly displayed on designer's website at https://fisherdesign.com/project/rogue-brand-redesign/. Velo ad found on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/Zain9t0/posts/180953890401150).

Even though traditional gums and lozenges already exist to help adults quit smoking, these nicotine products seem to be targeting youth to get them hooked early.

Recent national surveys show that nicotine pouch use among high schoolers has nearly doubled in the last year, even as vaping has started to decline.

Many young pouch users are also vaping or smoking cigarettes at the same time, compounding their risks. Most report using flavored varieties like fruit, mint, or menthol — the same kinds of flavors that have long appealed to kids.

Comparison image made by KCadmin from images found online (Rogue website, Solace Facebook page, Lucy at Nicokick.com, Walmart website, Walgreens website).

 We know that most kids choose not to vape or smoke, and most will refuse products like these if they’re offered. We also know that adult support and conversations really help when the pressure mounts and the offer or curiousity for teens to “try it” is there.

As adults, we can help youth by:

  • Having conversations about our nicotine-free expectations early and often, including cigarettes, vaping, and these nicotine products.
  • Warning kids and teens of the risks of using nicotine while their brains are still developing, including harm to learning, memory, mood, and lifelong addiction (learn more on our Nicotine & Vaping page).
  • Helping them gain confidence by practicing saying “no” to their peers when offered a nicotine product.
  • Reminding our kids they can come to us for help with peer pressure, stress, or anxiety.
  • Supporting teens who want to quit vaping. If you know a teen who’s trying to quit, tell them they can connect to a My Life My Quit coach at MO.MyLifeMyQuit.org or text ‘Start My Quit’ to 36072. This local cessation resource sends them free, confidential support and tips to help them quit vaping for good.

By Parent Up KC Staff

Help Knock Out Teen Vaping For Good. Here’s How:

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As adults, helping our teens make good choices can sometimes feel like stepping into the boxing ring, facing off against the challenges that threaten their well-being. One challenge that has become more prominent in recent years is teen vaping. But just like a boxer, you can learn skills to help “knock out” teen vaping in just a few rounds.

🧠 Round 1: Knowledge is Power

In this round, you’ll rely on your knowledge of the risks of vaping during adolescence, including: 

We also need to be aware of the new nicotine products that are being marketed to teens so we can keep an eye out for their ever-changing new forms. Having an understanding of why teens vape also shows us where there are opportunities to help and support our teens. Some of these reasons include influence from peers, a misunderstanding of the harmful contents of the aerosol produced by vaping, and coping with stress or anxiety. Equipped with this knowledge, you’ll be better able to help your teen understand the risks of vaping and guide them toward safe choices.

🗨️ Round 2: Open & Honest Communication

Just like a boxer, teens need people in their corner who can provide strong support and guidance, and this starts with open and honest communication. Approach your teen with empathy and a willingness to listen, and know that you won’t always get everything across in one talk. Use these conversation goals to help guide you in your talks with your teen:

  • Make it clear that you don’t approve of them using any vaping products. Over 80% of 10-18 year olds say their parents are their biggest influence on their decision not to use substances.
  • Show teens you care about their health, safety, and success. Reinforce the reasons you expect your teen to stay vape-free – because you love them and want them to be happy, healthy, and safe. Explain to them that vaping is harmful to their developing brains and can lead to lifelong addiction.
  • Be curious and open-minded about their experiences. Ask them what they think, know, or have heard about vaping. Show them that you are a good source of information if they have questions. 
  • Keep the conversation going. Talk often with your teen about vaping. Take advantage of opportunities when watching movies, TV, and commercials together that feature vaping. Let them know that they can come to you for help with stress, anxiety, or peer pressure. 

🏆 Round 3: Strategize for Success

In boxing, strategizing for success means practicing and planning for what might happen in the ring. You can help your teen do the same by practicing and planning for the situations they might encounter in their day-to-day lives. Consider planning for things like:

  • Peer pressure. Practicing how to say “no” can help teens feel more confident and comfortable resisting if a friend or peer offers them a vape.
  • Daily stressors. Stress is a normal part of life, but teens need help learning how to manage it. Discuss what stressors might exist for your teen and brainstorm coping skills that can help them handle stress, such as spending time outside, getting adequate sleep, or positive self-talk. Be open to their suggestions and help them think through some ideas that will work for them.

➡️ Follow up often to see how these strategies for success are working, and help them adapt their plans as needed.

🥳Celebrate when you notice them putting these strategies into action! 

👩‍⚕️Round 4: Seek Professional Help

Boxers call on professionals to help them when needed, and you can too.

  • If you’re worried your teen might be vaping, the Partnership to End Addiction can help.

     

  • Support teens who want to quit vaping. If you know a teen who’s trying to quit, tell them they can connect to a My Life My Quit coach at MO.MyLifeMyQuit.org or text ‘Start My Quit’ to 36072. This local cessation resource sends them free, confidential support and tips to help them quit vaping for good.

     

  • If your child is vaping to cope with anxiety or depression, reach out to their primary care doctor or a mental health professional. 

By adopting a boxing mentality, we can get one step closer to knocking out teen vaping for good! 
For more resources and tips for keeping kids safe from teen vaping, visit our Vaping page here at ParentUpKC.com!

A Clear Message from Clay, Platte and Ray Prosecutors: “Don’t Provide Alcohol to Minors”

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As the school year wraps up and the summer season approaches, Parent Up is joining with local prosecutors and prevention coalitions to remind parents and caring adults of their crucial role in preventing underage drinking.

The overwhelming majority of youth are not engaging in substance use because the adults in their lives are protecting their health and safety.

Local prosecutors witness first-hand the tragic and avoidable harm caused by alcohol and drug misuse, and feel the negative consequences are even more significant when it happens among teens.

In response, our prosecuting attorneys in Clay, Platte, and Ray counties have partnered with Parent Up’s Parent are Rock Stars campaign and have issued letters to Northland parents and caregivers, reminding them that providing alcohol to anyone under the age of 21 is illegal—and encouraging them to talk to their children about remaining alcohol-free. This partnership aims to empower all Northland parents and caregivers to set firm boundaries, have clear conversations, and take action appropriate action if they learn of underage drinking. Read each county prosecutor’s letter below:

This partnership aims to empower all Northland parents and caregivers to set firm boundaries, have clear conversations, and take action appropriate action if they learn of underage drinking.

Parent Up is here to help as we navigate these discussions with our kids and fellow parents. We have age appropriate conversation guides, tips for navigating the prom and graduation season, and some creative ideas for you to take action if you know of adults who are providing alcohol to minors.

If you want to learn more about how you can help or need resources to talk to your child about alcohol, head on over to our Alcohol Page.

– Parent Up Staff

How to Protect Our Kids from Deadly Fake Pills

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In today’s rapidly changing world, it’s more crucial than ever to stay informed about the dangers that can impact our kids and teens. Two of those dangers are fentanyl and xylazine: Substances that are being put into pills that appear to be prescription or legitimate medicines, but are actually illegal counterfeit pills that can be deadly. 

Deaths caused by these poisonings are rising, which has led to the increase of unexpected loss of teens and young people in our Kansas City communities.

Fentanyl and xylazine are in our state, our city, and our communities. As adults, we need to take action today to protect our kids from these fake pills laced with lethal substances.

Continue reading to find out which pill is fake below. Photo from DEA.gov.

What is Fentanyl?

Fentanyl is a synthetic (man-made) opioid that is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. Only 2 milligrams of fentanyl, just a few grains of sand, can be fatal to an adult. This deadly drug cannot be detected by sight, smell, or taste. It can be impossible to tell if a pill is real or fake just by looking at it. Recent DEA lab tests revealed that 7 out of every 10 pills with fentanyl contain a potentially lethal dose. This deadly drug is used by illegal drug makers to create fake pills that look like real medication. Prescription pills purchased online are often fakes made with fentanyl. Because of this, our kids may encounter fentanyl anywhere – online, at school, or on the street.

Two miligrams of fentanyl, a lethal amount for most adults. Photo from DEA.gov.

What is Xylazine?

Xylazine is a non-opioid tranquilizer used in veterinary medicine, and is not approved for use in humans. It is often mixed with other drugs, most commonly fentanyl, to either enhance drug effects or increase street value by increasing weight. Like fentanyl, this drug is put into fake pills that look like legitimate pills by illegal drug makers. Prescription pills purchased online are often fakes made with fentanyl, and increasingly, xylazine as well. In fact, Missouri experienced a 180% increase in xylazine-related deaths from 39 deaths in 2021 to 109 in 2022.

The most worrying aspect of xylazine is that because it is not an opioid, life-saving Naloxone does not work on xylazine. However, it’s important to note that because xylazine is often used with opioids like fentanyl, naloxone should still be given for any suspected drug overdose or poisoning.

Local law enforcement has pulled together a drug task force to address supply and track down those that sell these incredibly dangerous substances and fake pills. The DEA is working these cases too and urging the media to get the word out.

How might our teens encounter these fake pills?

While it might be difficult to imagine your teen would ever experiment with pills, it’s important to acknowledge the very real reasons why teens may encounter or seek out pills:

  • The teen brain is experiencing every emotion very intensely as it grows and develops rapidly. Some teens may turn to pills to cope with stress, anxiety or depression.
  • Teens might be feeling pressure to excel in school or sports, and some may believe that pills can help boost their academic or athletic performance.
  • The teen brain is hard-wired to take risks. Some teens might experiment with pills to fulfill risk-seeking urges.
  • Some teens may think: “It’s medicine, so it can’t hurt me, right?” This misunderstanding of the dangers of taking pills not prescribed to them might give the false impression that it’s safe to try, especially if they see their family or friends doing so. 

If our kids are not warned, and given the support they need, they may think pills are the solution to their problems. The majority of teens and young adults who report misuse of prescription pills are buying or getting them from friends, family, and even acquaintances over Snapchat and other apps popular with teens. To teens, these are seemingly harmless transactions for a pill – maybe a “study drug” or “sleeping pill,” but they could lead – and have led to – unimaginably tragic consequences in our communities.

It can be impossible to tell if a pill is real or fake just by looking at it. Photo from DEA.gov.

What Can We Do to Protect Our Kids?

Our goal at Parent Up is to support parents and caregivers in their efforts to keep kids from engaging in substance use. By taking steps to reduce pill misuse, we can reduce the likelihood that our teens would take a potentially fatal pill laced with fentanyl or xylazine in the future. We encourage parents and caregivers to use our 4Cs to prevent pill misuse in youth:

  • CARE: Educate yourself about the harmful effects of pill misuse, especially for kids and teens. Check out our Prescription Drugs page to start! We break down the most commonly misused prescription drugs by teens, the risks, and the warning signs to look for. We also have free helpful tools and resources for you to download, print, and share.

     

  • CONNECT: Connection is key to prevention! Kids who have stable, healthy relationships with adults are more likely to make safer decisions and live healthier lives. Learn more about simple ways to connect with your kids every day by watching this 14-minute TED Talk. Learn more about the amazing value of having regular family meals together by visiting our Meaningful Meals page.

     

  • COMMUNICATE: Talk to your child early and often about medication safety and have specific conversations about the dangers of misusing pills. Emphasize to teens and kids that they should never share their prescription pills with anyone and to never take anyone else’s pills. Take a strong stance against using any substance, including pills, to deal with your problems. 
    • Let your child know you will help them if they are seeking relief from anxiety or depression. Discuss the steps to legally and safely obtain appropriate medications from a doctor, if needed. Assure your child that their mental well-being is a priority and that they have options for relief other than taking matters into their own hands.
    • Practice what to say if they are offered something. These roleplays let your child know you support them and help give them confidence if a situation arises where they need to say “no.” You can also work with your teen to come up with a code word to text you if they feel like they need your help to get out of an unsafe situation.

       

  • CAREFUL ATTENTION: You know your child and what is or isn’t typical for them. Be on alert for changes in behaviors, friend groups, or attitudes. Take action if you see early warning signs of pill misuse. You can find these warning signs on our Prescription Drugs page.  
    • Keep track of which prescription medicines you have in your house and how many. Store prescriptions in a secure place only you know about. Don’t keep powerful prescription medicine in your bathroom medicine cabinet where just anyone can find it.
    • When you have unused, unwanted, or expired prescriptions, don’t keep them around your home. Keeping these types of medication out of the house entirely will drastically limit the serious risks to kids and teens! Dispose of these medicines at your nearest local dropbox location or make a plan for safe home disposal. 

Here are some other helpful resources too:

Click this image to download, print, and share our helpful fentanyl poisoning prevention handout!
Click this image to download, print, and share our helpful medicine safety handout!

Thank you for taking action today. Share this Insight and help protect area kids.

– Parent Up KC Staff

Note: This Insight was originally published on November 8, 2023 and has been updated by Parent Up KC Staff.

How to Keep Our Kids Merry and Bright Now and All Year Long

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It’s the holiday season and here at Parent Up, we are intentionally celebrating the joy, creativity, and resilience of area youth. We also celebrate YOU, the parents, guardians, and other caring adults who are following along, learning, listening, and taking action, even when it isn’t always easy.

With the threats of deadly fentanyl, new discreet nicotine products, and the now-more-available-than-ever potent-THC packed cannabis posing risks to young brains, Parent Up is rounding out the year with some encouragement and tried-and-true tips for keeping our kids merry and bright now and all year long:

  1. Set no-use expectations when it comes to vaping, alcohol, marijuana, and other substances.
    Teen substance use harms the developing brain and puts youth at higher risk for mental health problems and addiction throughout life. Let’s ensure kids know we care about their health and well-being, and that’s why we want them to stay drug-free. You can do this without threatening by saying something like, “I really care about your health and safety, and I don’t want you risking that by vaping or using marijuana. Your brain is not done growing so it’s even more important at this time in your life that you don’t use any drugs like alcohol, nicotine, unprescribed pills, or marijuana.” Or something like this, “Friends around you might tell you that drugs or alcohol help with that, but I really care about you and want you to not use alcohol, vapes, or any marijuana to protect you now and in the future.”

     

  2. Be curious and keep the dialogue about substances open.
     Ask kids what they think or have heard about alcohol, vaping, marijuana, and other drugs. Be curious and open-minded about their experiences. It’s more important – and effective– to listen and discuss rather than to lecture. Ask them questions about what they think about marijuana. Ask them what they know or what they’ve heard about vaping at school or from friends. Finding out what our teens know and think about substances first helps us know where to start our conversations. Use “teachable moments” to start conversations too. Use public service announcements, stories on the news, TV plot lines, pop culture or current issues at school or in the community to spur on your conversations.

    There’s an important second part to this advice: Let kids know they can come to you or other trusted adults for help with peer pressure, stress, or anxiety. Kids need to hear that their well-being is a priority and that they have options for relief other than taking matters into their own hands.

  3. Prepare kids for peer pressure.
    Help youth gain confidence to say “no” to alcohol, marijuana, and other drugs by practicing scenarios and brainstorming what they might say if they’re offered to them. “What do you do if you are in a social setting and you’re uncomfortable with what is happening?” Or ask, “What if someone is offering you something — what are you going to say?” Practice this with teens, even if they groan at you and don’t want to do it. Even if you don’t get them to say the words, if you can say the words and at least put them in their brain, they will be more likely to use that strategy when the moment comes. We also recommend teens memorize the phone numbers of two trusted adults so they always have someone to call to get out of an uncomfortable situation, even if their phone is dead.

  1. Watch for early signs or symptoms of substance use.
    As parents and caregivers, we know our kids best so if something seems off, we should take action. General early signs of substance use could include: Changes in appearance, changes in friend groups, grades dropping, and/or secretive behavior. Find more specific early warnings signs for underage drinking, marijuana use, teen vaping, and prescription drug misuse on our     Drug Topics page. If you need help for your child and are worried your child may be using alcohol or other drugs, the Partnership to End Addiction can help.

Our kids are more resilient and better off with your support! We wish you well this holiday season and into the new year.

 – The Parent Up KC Team

9 Ways to Root Your Family in Resilience

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As parents or caregivers, we know you want the best for your kids and hope that they get to stay in their carefree kid phase for as long as possible. The reality, though, is that kids DO face challenges. As parents and caregivers, you play a crucial role in helping your kids develop the resilience to overcome those challenges.

What is resilience?

According to the American Psychological Association, resilience is the ability to adapt well to adversity, trauma, tragedy, or significant sources of stress. It is a tool to help manage uncomfortable feelings such as anxiety, uncertainty, or stress. Resilient kids are better equipped to handle the everyday challenges of life and cope with problems they encounter. And the good news? Resilience can be built in kids (and adults!) of all ages, starting at home.

Here are nine ways families can root their children in resilience starting NOW!

  1. Give yourself (and your kids) grace. It’s safe to say that we all make mistakes. When we acknowledge mistakes, and talk about what can be learned from them, it lets our kids know that when they make mistakes or face challenges, it will be okay! 
  1. Provide structure for kids. Predictability and routine help make kids feel safe and give them purpose. Every second of your day doesn’t need to be planned out, but consider including things like morning and nighttime routines, blocks of time for school work or unstructured play, or even time set aside to plan/talk about what’s going on that day. Just as important as having routine, however, is to model flexibility. Our kids will be watching to see how we respond when we’re running late, as unplanned things pop up, and when life’s other common disruptions pop up.
  1. Practice your own self-care. Drink water, take breaks, maintain a consistent sleep schedule, move your body, color, read, do things you enjoy most. Taking care of yourself is essential for taking care of kids, and will help you and your child(ren) be better equipped to handle stress or challenges. 
  1. Model positive coping skills. Put words to your positive coping actions, for example:  “Whew, I am feeling stressed.  I’m going to take a walk. Want to come too?” If you find yourself reacting to a situation with a negative coping skill, talk with your child about how you would handle that differently next time and talk to them about what they would do if they were ever feeling that way.

  2. Find intentional moments to connect. A report from Harvard University suggests that the key to resilience in youth is one stable and committed relationship with a supportive adult. To build that connection, utilize meal time, car rides, or set aside time to just talk, play, and be together. Strengthening these relationships before challenging or stressful times can help ensure that your child has at least one person they feel comfortable talking to when those times do come.
  1. Foster a sense of community. In addition to building connections with you, find places within your neighborhood, school, or larger community where kids can feel connected to others. Whether that’s joining a club, volunteering, attending larger family gatherings, or even just hanging out with peers, building a community where they feel included can promote resilience in the long run. 

  2. Teach problem solving; don’t give answers. Sometimes it’s easier to give kids answers and solutions to small problems, because we’ve been there and done that! However, kids need that opportunity to build those skills and practice coming to a successful solution on their own. Try asking them questions that might lead them to a solution and build their confidence in solving small problems by themselves.

  3. Move towards your goals. Model goal setting for yourself and help your child(ren) set reasonable goals. Setting goals can help kids feel a sense of control and as they accomplish those goals, build their confidence. In this process you’ll have the chance to help them identify stepping stones towards their goals, manage setbacks, evaluate their plans, and most importantly, celebrate successes big and small.
  1. Choose an attitude of gratitude. Focusing on things you are grateful for is instant stress relief! With practice, focusing on gratitude can help build emotional resilience by encouraging us to focus on the positives instead of the negatives. You can model gratitude, especially in hard times, by saying things like “Even though this is hard, I’m glad we have each other for support.” 

Youth in our community have tremendous potential and we all benefit when this potential is realized. The Roots of Resilience campaign is excited to partner with individuals, organizations, and various areas of our community to ensure that our actions support youth resilience and mental health. When we are intentional, and work together, we can ensure that ALL kids have the opportunity to thrive! Learn more about building resilience in your kids – and yourself – at RootsOfResilienceKC.com! 

Roots of Resilience KC Staff

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