Flakka is dangerous new strain of synthetic drugs, which have become popular out on the market. On the street, it's also called "gravel" for its white, crystal chunks. In the lab, it's known as a stimulant with the amphetamine-like effects of Molly and Ecstasy. In the media it's been dubbed "the insanity drug."

Indeed, flakka has fueled a recent, bizarre a wave of public behavior, all occurring in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. On April 4, a man who had smoked flakka ran naked in the streets, claiming people had stolen his clothes. In March, a man on flakka impaled himself on a spiked fence outside the police station. He survived. In February, a man on flakka tried to kick in the police station door, claiming cars were chasing him. (http://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/flakka-attack-new-synthetic-drug-joins-list-spanning-lsd-molly-n341506)

It is important to know about this new drug so you can educate adolescents on the dangers of these deadly synthetic drugs that are readily available and easy to access via the internet.

Here are five things to begin the conversation:

1. Know what the drug is called. It's called “Flakka.” It can also be referred to as the following: “high on flakes”, “snacking”-- which means taking additional drugs while high on Flakka, or “gravel. It can be crushed and snorted, swallowed or injected, is peddled under many brand names, including the less-potent cathinone, "Molly." It is a synthetic drug with no real track record of side effects-- leaving its victims as guinea pigs. Flakka is a chemically altered drug which means the side effects vary, but we know they are dangerous and deadly.
2. The chemicals in the drug are extremely dangerous. There are similar chemicals in “Bath Salts”- the drug which was accredited to being consumed by the man who ate another man's face in 2012. These drugs leave the victim feeling increasingly aggressive with violent hallucinations.
3. Synthetic Cathinones are a mixture of Cathinones which are derived from leaves in the Middle East which are chewed and have a euphoric effect. However, the Cathinones are mixed with synthetic chemicals. Neither the drug dealer nor buyer know what is actually in the drug. Each drug could be a dose leading to death. There have been a dramatic spike in Sythetic Cathinones drugs since 2010 (see graph below).
4. Flakka is often mixed with other drugs like methamphetamine. Mixing this drug is extremely dangerous. If someone takes Flakka who is already high, called “snacking” it can lead to serious health issues including bouts of extreme aggression, rapid heart rate, psychosis, and even death.  

Flakka is extremely dangerous. It is on the rise in popularity in Florida, but it is only a matter of time before the popularity spreads throughout the nation. It is imperative to empower your teens to avoid drugs because drugs can be sold as one thing, but actually be a completely different drug than specified by the dealer. Get educated. Get talking. Save your teen's life!

Teenagers drink for various reasons. Parents may get frustrated or feel overwhelmed when they find out their teenager has been drinking. Parents may chalk it up to good 'ole rebellion. However, there are many reasons teenagers drink and some can be quite serious. It is important to deal with the root causes of WHY your teenager is drinking to help them stop and avoid it in the future.

Rebellion. Although rebellion isn't the ONLY reason a teen will drink. It definitely can be a factor. Some teenagers want to push their boundaries-- especially if the teen is experience a life event in their family that leaves them feeling out of control i.e. divorce, house move, school move, death in the family. The important things to remember is--if you can figure out the trigger for the need to be rebellious than you can usually help your teen through this issue instead of them acting out.

Peer Pressure. Teenagers can feel powerless when it comes to peer pressure. It is often very difficult for them to make their own decisions when their peers pressure them to drink alcohol. Their friends may call them names, make fun of them, or make them feel excluded from the group if they do not engage in alcohol use. It is important to empower your teen by discussing the reasons they may be feeling peer pressured. It's best to have these conversations preemptively, but better late than never.

Confidence. Some teenagers have issues with self-confidence and self-worth. They may be using alcohol to self-medicate. Alcohol becomes a way to not have to emotionally digest certain issues going on in their life. Drinking could be a way of escape and a way to have “liquid confidence” when they cannot seem to have it sober. It is important to deal with this issue it can quickly turn into adult alcoholism if they do not learn how to appropriately deal with their emotions and process different feelings.

It is vital to talk with your teen to determine why your teen began drinking in the first place. It is also important to talk with them about these different issues BEFORE you even notice them struggling in these areas. If you can help them identify the area of WHY they drank or want to drink then you can help them not only avoid the harmful effects of drinking, but help them to become more emotionally healthy. 

April is Alcohol Awareness Month and it is vital you have conversations with your children about drinking. Although alcohol use among teens was reported at a decline in 2014 it is still a very real danger among youth. Just having the conversation can help empower them to make wise decisions in avoiding alcohol and could result in saving their LIFE down the line. Here are 3 ways your conversations about alcohol could help empower them for the future.

1. Talk. Your strongest influence on your child is BEFORE they start drinking alcohol. It is harder to change a behavior than prevent one. Talk when they are young about alcohol and its dangers to those who are under age. Discuss how important it is to wait until they are of legal drinking age-- or even avoid alcohol altogether. It is NEVER too early to have the conversation. Start young. Talk often.
   
2. Avoid Trouble. Teens who drink are more likely to be involved in crimes, have an alcohol related accident, and have poor performance in school. If your teen does not drink they are more likely to be successful in school. Discussing how to avoid peer pressure and make wise decisions when it comes to drinking will literally SAVE THEIR LIFE!
   
3. Early Prevention. Having conversations early and often about alcohol could help them avoid alcohol dependence in the future. Teens who drink before the age of 15 are 5 times more likely to have a dependence on or abuse alcohol in their future. 
   

As parents, educators, and guardians we can sometimes feel powerless about where to start the conversation. We can toil over when, where, how, etc. However, the most important thing to remember is you cannot afford to not have the conversation with your teen.