Nitazenes – A Deadly Drug Up to 10x Stronger Than Fentanyl

 

A little-known opioid that is deadlier than fentanyl has led to a growing number of overdose deaths across America in recent years. According to a report from the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD), Nitazenes, a class of synthetic opioids known as the benzimidazole-opioids, are being detected with increasing frequency in overdose cases. These drugs can be up to 10 times more potent than fentanyl and routine drug screens may not detect them.💊

Experts warn that nitazenes are being produced in illicit labs overseas and trafficked into the U.S. through the same channels used for fentanyl. To get around enforcement crackdowns on fentanyl, drug traffickers often turn to producing these new synthetic opioids since the drugs are cheap to make and easy to move. Synthetic nitazenes come in pills, powders, sprays, and other forms that can be snorted, smoked, injected, or taken orally.

The biggest risk is their potency - which can be hundreds of times stronger than morphine and potentially 10-40x more potent than fentanyl so that even the tiniest of doses can be potentially deadly.💀

The CICAD report warns that these drugs are known to cause dependency, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, disorientation, loss of consciousness, cardiac arrest, and seizures. Another issue is unpredictability of nitazenes in the street supply. Producers of synthetic opioids tweak the chemical structures to evade laws and standard tests. Users may think they're taking one thing, but they may end up taking something different. Naloxone can reverse overdoses, but multiple doses may be needed due to their potency.

Stay informed because we know that public awareness, widespread naloxone distribution, and rapid drug checking are key to preventing deaths.

Learn more about Nitazenes

https://drugfree.org/drugs/nitazenes/

Back-to-School Checklist from Polk County Sheriff’s Office

 

Back-to-School Basics from Sheriff Grady Judd 

"This message is so important, we made y'all a worksheet and even filled it out for you. Talk to your students about which items are and are not permitted on school campuses. Let's all have a safe school year together!" 

Thank You Sheriff Judd & PCSO Deputies for

keeping our community and schools safe!

🚔 🚨

Welcome Back Polk County Students & IAA Teachers

 

Welcome Back Polk County Students & Teachers 

especially the prevention specialists on the IAA Team! 😊 

lnnerAct Alliance wishes all Polk County students, families, teachers, administrators, and bus drivers a great First Day of the 2025-2026 School Year!🏫 We appreciate and thank you for all you do to support our most precious resource - our students! 👦👧

Drivers - please watch for students walking to and from the bus stop and around school zones each day. Allow extra time to get where you are going so you're not rushed while driving. Let's keep a watchful eye out for our students and make sure they are safe and protected! Have a wonderful first day! 

The Dog Days of Summer

 

You've heard the term "dog days of summer" but do you know the actual meaning behind it? 🐕🌞

The "dog days" refer to the hottest days of the summer, typically in July and August. The phrase can be traced back thousands of years to the days of the Roman Empire. People noticed that the dog star Sirius⭐ rose and set around the same time as the sun after the summer solstice - usually July 3 through August 11 during the hottest and most humid days of the year in the northern hemisphere. The Romans believed that Sirius' brightness increased the sun's warmth, making the days even hotter.

In celebration of the "dog days of summer" and this last weekend of summer break before school starts next week, enjoy a family hot dog grill out 🌭, pool time, and cool treats like watermelon🍉or shaved ice 🍧to stay cool!

In The News: Local Law Enforcement Keeping Polk Safe

 

Yesterday in Polk County, one driver thought he could outsmart Florida Highway Patrol troopers but he failed miserably. After a successful PIT maneuver and arrest, FHP recovered 150 pounds of marijuana and approximately $40,000 from his vehicle - just look at all that marijuana on the hoods of the troopers' cars! Kudos to FHP and troopers who face dangers like this each day to protect our communities and keep our roads safe, while taking dangerous drugs off our streets and away from our children!

Shoutout also to Polk County Sheriff's Office deputies who arrested 50 people for Driving Under the Influence of alcohol and/or drugs during July 2025. Among the arrests, 15 were involved in crashes. Two of those arrested were driving with a child in the vehicle. These 50 arrests were PCSO arrests only - not including other arrests made in Polk by any city police departments or Florida Highway Patrol. Sheriff Judd reminds us that if you see someone who appears to be driving while impaired, be sure to call 9-1-1 immediately. Stay safe!

Be on Alert for Common Emoji Codes Signaling Potential Drug Use

 

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has shared this "cheat sheet graphic" picturing some of the common emoji symbols that may be used by teens to disguise drug-related communication and content. Sharing information like this helps to decode the emoji slang associated with buying and selling drugs.  

The reference guide is intended to give parents, caregivers, educators, and other influencers a better sense of how emojis are being used in conjunction with illegal drugs. Fake prescription pills that are commonly laced with deadly fentanyl and methamphetamine are often sold on social media and e-commerce platforms - making them available to anyone who has a smartphone.

Please help spread awareness and keep our community safe! 

Anyone Having A Cat In The Hat Kind of Day?

 

Anyone having A Cat in the Hat Kind of Day? Can you relate to a Tuesday that feels like a Monday?

Balancing our responsibilities can sometimes be a little daunting. At times like this, it's always best to keep a sense of humor as we manage the highs & lows of our daily lives. I think that's why people love Dr. Seuss and his characters so much. Using enchanted worlds and wonderful creatures, the great Dr. Seuss is able to teach readers admirable life lessons about the importance of taking responsibility. He and the beloved characters in his stories encourage us to see our own potential and use our capabilities to reach our goals while still having fun along the way!