Drug trends: CCPD to present info session
The public is invited to a program on the newest drug trends among teens and children.
Hosted by the Cape Coral Police Department and Lee County Coalition for a Drug-Free Southwest Florida, “Lunch and Learn: Emerging Trends in Drugs of Abuse” will take place Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Cape Coral Police Department’s Training Room, at 1100 Cultural Park Blvd.
“It’s free and open to the public. All ages are welcome, ” Deborah Comella, executive director of the coalition, said. “People can just come; they don’t have to preregister. We have plenty of seating.”
Sgt. Allan Kolak, with the Cape police, will talk about the various types of today’s drugs.
“He also includes some of the paraphernalia. This is some of the actual stuff that they’ve confiscated from kids and high school students,” she said. “It’s always very educational.”
Along with discussing what new drugs are currently trending and showing attendees some of the paraphernalia used, Kolak will talk about the common signs and symptoms of a drug user.
“We’re actually trying to do this to educate the public, especially those with children,” he said. “A lot of these newer drugs, especially the synthetics, can cause some major and damaging effects to the body.”
Some drugs to be covered include Molly and Kratom, which comes from the leaf of a tree grown in Southeast Asia. Kolak explained that Molly is a more potent Ecstasy and Kratom is a stimulant.
“It gives you a stimulant and opium type of effects,” he said of Kratom.
Kolak will also talk about synthetic drugs like 25I-NBOMe, also known as 25I or N-Bomb.
“It’s a hallucinogen,” he said. “There’s been a lot of suicides with the drug.”
As for paraphernalia, Kolak said there have not been big changes.
“You’re going to see the same type of paraphernalia, except that they’re disguising a lot of it,” he said.
For example, there are highlighters that can write, but the back end comes off to turn it into a pipe. There are also different types of cans, like soda can, that come apart to be used to hide drugs.
When going over symptoms, a change or clothing or dress in a youth can be a red flag.
“But also, how it’s going to affect possible agitation or sleeping too much,” Kolak said. “Or not wanting to sleep, staying up for more than a day at a time.”
The program is highly recommended for parents, educators and child care professionals.
“Anyone with children or anyone who deals with children,” he said.
Kolak noted that older drugs can cycle back around and new ones are always popping up.
“Unfortunately, the way that drug trends are, they’re always changing,” he said. “We’re saying this is what you need to look out for to get as early an intervention as possible.”
Check-in will begin at 11:30 a.m. To RSVP in advance, email executivedir@drugfreeswfl.org.
Attendees are welcome to bring a lunch to the program.
For more information on the coalition, visit: www.drugfreeswfl.org or call (239) 931-9317.