Medical Minute: Substance use

“Your kids will be exposed to drugs in high school,” says Dr. Casey Grover, Addiction Medicine and Emergency Medicine, Montage Health. “Teach them the skills now so that they’re ready.”

Fentanyl poses a serious risk to youth, as it is found in many common substances like pills, vapes, weed, and can even appear as candy.

“Things are scary right now for our kids and for our community in general,” says Dr. Reb Close, Addiction Medicine and Emergency Medicine, Montage health.

While an increase in fentanyl overdoses and deaths in Monterey County has made community leaders and doctors concerned, Grover says there are three main ways parents can get ahead of this threat:

1. Parents should learn how to use naloxone (brand name NARCAN®) and carry it everywhere they go. Naloxone is a small over-the-counter nasal spray that can reverse an opioid overdose, including from fentanyl, and save a life. Naloxone can’t hurt someone who isn’t overdosing, and you will never get in trouble for giving someone naloxone.

2. Educate yourself. Montage Health’s Prescribe Safe website has many resources, including information about preventing youth substance use and getting the conversation started with your child.

3. Talk to your child before they get to middle school. It could save their life.

Learn more about Montage Health's Prescribe Safe program.