After the fatal overdose of two Park City teens and the nonfatal drug overdose of another Park City teen this week, the entire Utah community wants to know what can be done to keep teens safe from drugs such as “pink” or “pinky”. That task is difficult because the drug is so new it is not yet illegal to purchase. The Utah Statewide Information & Analysis Center says, “The synthetic opioid [pink]… is growing in popularity with recreational drug users throughout the United States… [and] is readily available for purchase on the internet; primarily from Chinese suppliers.” Roosevelt Police Chief Rick Harrison emphasizes that the Basin community needs to be aware that Pink and other new synthetic drugs are not always illegal to buy online. “Until the legal system catches up,” shares Chief Harrison, “on-line purchases by family should be closely watched…Parents should be aware of what their kids buy online and what they have in their backpacks, in their rooms and cars.” Chief Harrison also recommends talking to youth about drugs. “If a child wants to try drugs bad enough, parental involvement may not change that but kids that encounter situational contact with drugs may have a much better chance to avoid use if they know their parents feelings and concerns.”
Photo Credit: KSL TV
