Playbl Newsletter | September 2024

🖐️ Welcome to this month’s Playbl Newsletter, where we provide research-based content to educators and clinicians to support their behavioral health work with youth. This month’s edition focuses on the constantly evolving landscape of drugs to which youth may be exposed.

It’s nearly impossible for educators to keep up with the ever-evolving landscape of trendy substances. As new substances emerge and existing ones evolve, it’s crucial for educators to stay informed about the latest drug trends to effectively support students and promote their well-being. This quiz will test your knowledge of five common and emerging substances that high school students may encounter, helping you better understand the challenges they face and provide appropriate guidance.

Test your knowledge matching these substances with their definition.

Answers: 1D, 2E, 3A, 4C, 5B

More about Zyn – These nicotine pouches are placed under the upper lip and dissolve, releasing nicotine into the bloodstream. While marketed as a smokeless alternative to cigarettes, they can still be addictive and pose health risks, including oral health issues, cardiovascular problems, and nicotine dependence.

More about Delta-8 or Delta-10 – These cannabinoids, found in trace amounts in hemp and cannabis plants, produce a milder high than Delta-9 THC. They impact behavior, mood, thoughts, and emotions. Available in various products like gummies, vapes, cartridges, and capsules, they’re sold unregulated in many places, making them easier to obtain than marijuana from dispensaries. States are increasingly moving to ban or restrict their sales due to concerns about their potential harm, especially among young people.

More about SPICE/K2 – Sold as herbal incense or “herbal smoking blends,” these unregulated products are often cheaper and easier to obtain than cannabis. They’re not typically detected by urine drug screening, making it difficult to identify their use. Due to their unregulated nature, synthetic cannabinoids can be extremely dangerous, with adverse effects ranging from mild to severe, including palpitations, paranoia, anxiety, nausea, vomiting, confusion, poor coordination, seizures, psychosis, and even death.

More about Xylazine –   A veterinary tranquilizer, xylazine is increasingly mixed with other drugs, like fentanyl, to enhance potency and reduce costs. This practice significantly increases the risk of overdose and harmful side effects, including skin ulcers, respiratory depression, and other health complications.

More about NPS – New psychoactive substances are constantly emerging, making it difficult to keep track of them all. Here are a few more examples from recent years –

• Novel Benzodiazepines: These synthetic drugs are similar to prescription benzodiazepines but can have more potent and unpredictable effects.  
• Designer Stimulants: These synthetic drugs are similar to prescription benzodiazepines but can have more potent and unpredictable effects.

• Salvia Divinorum: A plant-based hallucinogen, salvia can produce intense, short-lived hallucinations. It can be consumed by chewing, smoking, or vaporizing. Street names for salvia include Maria Pastora, Sally-D, and Salvia.

About Playbl

Playbl is a mission-driven organization focused on improving adolescent behavioral health. As a partner to the play2PREVENT Lab, we leverage the power of evidence-based video games to improve health outcomes for youth aged 10-20. Game topics include smoking & vaping, opioid misuse, mental health, and sexual health.

Click here to learn more about our games and find out how to bring them to your organization.

If you would like to learn more about building a school environment to decrease all substance misuse and addiction, reach out to the team at Playbl about our professional development courses for educators and administrators.