By Taiwo AKINLAMI

The 29th Annual Celebrate Kids Conference hosted by the Ohio CASA/GAL Association commenced on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, was concluded on Friday, September 27, 2024. The second day was marked by deep insights and powerful presentations that emphasized the need for empathy and advocacy for today’s youth, especially those entangled in the juvenile system.

Plenary Session: Advocacy for Teenagers – A Personal Conversation

The day’s only plenary session, “Growing Up: A Youth Culture Conversation,” was delivered by Adrian M. McLemore, an individual who personally experienced both family life and foster care during his formative years. McLemore’s presentation was a stirring advocacy for teenagers, offering a unique perspective on how to understand, support, and defend the best interests of young people in today’s world. His deeply personal anecdotes about the challenges of navigating adolescence within the foster care system struck a chord with the audience.

McLemore’s conversational style fostered an open dialogue on the importance of cultivating meaningful relationships with youth. He emphasized the value of listening, supporting, and empowering young people to speak up for themselves. His insights reinforced the idea that it is crucial to provide teenagers with the emotional tools they need to thrive, especially those who have been uprooted from traditional family structures. His words left a lasting impact, encouraging attendees to rethink how they approach advocacy for this precious population.

Workshops: Empathy, Support, and the Reality of Drug Abuse
In addition to the plenary, I attended three workshops, with the second and final ones leaving the most profound impressions. These sessions validated points I’ve made in my two recently published books and an interview I gave, wherein I insisted that this is one of the most challenging times for young people to navigate. Today’s youth need empathy, understanding, and support more than ever, as they are often either beneficiaries or casualties of the examples set by adults.

One of the most impactful workshops was titled “What Are Your Kids Up To? A Serious Look into Juvenile Drug Abuse,” facilitated by Kevin Everhart, a retired narcotics detective and Averhealth Area Manager. Everhart’s experience in law enforcement gave him a unique vantage point on the growing problem of drug abuse among youth, and he provided a comprehensive overview of the types of drugs that teenagers are currently abusing, the signs to look for, and the dangers associated with today’s drug culture.

Everhart began by discussing the prevalent drugs among young people today, such as codeine, tramadol, gabapentin, and other prescription medications that have made their way into the underground drug scene. He highlighted the rise in abuse of methadone, heroin, and fentanyl, emphasizing how the latter has become an epidemic in the U.S., contributing to countless overdoses. Fentanyl, in particular, has proven to be a major killer, with even trace amounts causing fatal overdoses.

Everhart shared haunting stories from his time working undercover, particularly about the dealers who manipulated addicts into dangerous cycles of dependence. One story involved heroin dealers who exchanged methadone for heroin outside clinics, further perpetuating the addiction cycle. The stories emphasized the manipulative nature of drug dealers and the fragility of those struggling with addiction.

His presentation also shed light on lesser-known substances like tar heroin, which has largely disappeared but can still be found, and fentanyl-laced counterfeit pills, which are difficult to distinguish from their legitimate counterparts but can be fatal. Everhart also detailed drug paraphernalia that can often be found in homes, including spoons and burnt cotton balls, which signal intravenous drug use. He provided attendees with tips on how to recognize these warning signs.

The session shifted focus to the progression of addiction, explaining how many teens start with drugs like marijuana before progressing to prescription pills, then snorting, and eventually injecting drugs as their bodies develop tolerance. Everhart explained how dangerous this escalation can be, as it often leads to overdose or death.

One of the most eye-opening parts of the workshop was his discussion of fentanyl’s potency. He showed a photo of a fatal dose of fentanyl – a minuscule amount that could easily fit on the tip of a pencil. The lethality of this drug, which can cause death within moments of ingestion, cannot be overstated. He also explained how fentanyl has infiltrated drug supplies and how it has become a primary cause of death in overdose cases.

Methamphetamine was another key topic, with Everhart describing the different stages of methamphetamine use. He explained that some individuals can be functional meth users, while others spiral into addiction, staying awake for days, experiencing hallucinations, and succumbing to the devastating physical effects of the drug, such as sores on the skin and significant weight loss.

Everhart also warned about the resurgence of nitrous oxide (commonly known as laughing gas) and the dangers of inhalants, such as gasoline and spray paint, which can cause sudden death from brain aneurysms or respiratory failure. He spoke about Skittle parties, where teens mix various prescription pills in a bowl, often with alcohol, without knowing what they are consuming – a deadly game of chance.

One particularly shocking example was the rise of xylazine, an animal tranquilizer, mixed with fentanyl to enhance its effects. Xylazine causes severe necrotic wounds and doesn’t respond to Narcan, the lifesaving drug used to reverse opioid overdoses. Everhart called this mixture “zombie dust,” describing its devastating effects on the human body, including flesh-eating sores and eventual death.

Takeaways and Reflections

Everhart’s presentation was an eye-opener, offering practical advice for anyone working with youth. His warning about the pervasive nature of fentanyl and the rising trends in drug abuse among teenagers underscored the importance of proactive engagement, not only in recognizing signs of drug use but in educating both youth and parents about the dangers lurking in today’s “dope world.”

As the conference continues, the workshops and discussions reinforce the need for vigilance, compassion, and advocacy for our youth. Today’s teenagers are navigating an increasingly dangerous world, and it is incumbent upon us as advocates, parents, and professionals to support them with empathy and understanding. More than ever, we need to protect them from becoming casualties of the drugs and influences that threaten their future.

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