Author: Alexis Leffew

Understanding the Realities of Addiction and Protecting the Next Generation

A local West Valley family shared their deeply personal story of walking through their loved one's struggle with addiction. Her name was Lorena, a daughter, granddaughter, sister, niece, friend—a person who was loved by many.

The reality of addiction is that it settles in with little warning, allowing many signs to be brushed off as something other than the monster that it is. For this family, and undoubtedly others, there were regrets, as well as countless sacrifices of time, money and energy spent desperately trying to fight for Lorena's life.

For many, addiction hits close to home. For others, drug addiction is a foreign topic. One of the biggest misunderstandings about this issue, is the reason why people, like you and me, continue to use even when they're losing everything around them.

People initiate use for a variety of reasons:

• Parents/Family used, even encouraged their use
• Peer Pressure
• It looked cool in the movies
• Fun/Boredom
• Stress, anxiety, etc.

They continue to use for the feel-good effects, the social factor, and then - just to feel normal. Addiction starts by convincing you one way or another that this substance is the answer to a better life, and suddenly you're trapped in a vicious cycle of using more and more to either achieve the high you're looking for, or at least be able to function like a normal human being.

For Lorena, there were signs of depression and a relationship with her boyfriend that proved to be a snare for her.

The signs and symptoms of drug use vary based on substance, and in Lorena's heartbreaking story, she began using marijuana and later fentanyl, a highly potent synthetic opioid.

Signs of Marijuana Use:

• Red eyes
• Lazy/Tired
• Extra hungry
• Paranoia/Anxiety
• Depression
• Impaired coordination/reaction time
• Hallucinations/Psychosis
• Suicidal thoughts

The developing brain is much more susceptible to becoming addicted to drugs. From SAMHSA on marijuana, "Contrary to popular belief, marijuana is addictive. Research shows that: 1-in-6 people who start using the drug before the age of 18 can become addicted. 1-in-10 adults who use the drug can become addicted."

Signs of Fentanyl Use:

• Pinpoint Pupils
• Slow/Shallow breathing
• Drowsiness
• Constipation
• Trouble emptying the bladder
• Irritable/mood swings
• Flu-like symptoms from withdrawal

Fentanyl is sold on the street in counterfeit pills that look like prescription drugs—commonly, blue M 30 pills. Lorena's stepmother did not find fentanyl, but she did find aluminum foil and a straw, which are used to smoke the pills. The DEA recently updated the lethal dose data, and stated that 1 in 4 pills now contain a deadly dose of fentanyl.

Whether mental health conditions were present before or after use, they contribute to the continued use. It is a truly vicious cycle once the monster of addiction settles in, as withdrawal symptoms beg to be tamed by more use. Fentanyl withdrawal, in particular, is so bad that people would rather end their life than live through it.

The stigma attached to addiction is understandable, but once the struggle is understood, we can have a much more compassionate approach toward the millions of everyday people who battle addiction, both them and their families.

Tips for Preventing Your Child from Using Drugs:

• Talk early and often about your expectations for them
• Set a positive example for your kids
• Be careful to communicate hope whenever hard topics come up
• Be intentional with your relationship, ask them how they are doing, let them know you're listening, that you care
• Follow through on your word, show your kids that you mean what you say
• Encourage them to never take medicine from their friends, only from legitimate sources
• Set up a code word or emoji they can text you if ever in a sketchy situation, so they have an escape when under peer-pressure
• Encourage them to boldly and graciously stand up for what they believe in

Ultimately, your consistency is what matters—how you show up every day, what you allow and don't. They may still choose to use drugs, but be encouraged—kids often don't use drugs because they do not want to disappoint, or get in trouble with, mom and dad.

Visit our Resources page to learn more about today's drugs.

Author: Joe Tracey, Way Out West Coalition

The Next Deadly Wave in a Fentanyl-Fueled Crisis

Most people have now heard of fentanyl — and far too many have experienced its devastating impact firsthand. Here in Arizona and across the nation, fentanyl has torn through communities with staggering force. It’s 100 times more powerful than morphine and has become the deadliest drug America has ever faced.

From 2021 through late 2024, fentanyl was responsible for an estimated 236,000 lives lost. But the numbers alone don’t capture the full weight of its destruction. Behind every statistic is a grieving family, a broken future, a circle of friends asking “why?”

There has been a glimmer of hope: after reaching a record high of over 112,600 overdose deaths in 2022, the numbers have started to decline. Public health responses, wider access to Narcan, and education efforts have helped bend the curve — and for that, we should be thankful.

But here’s the hard truth: this epidemic is far from over.

Just when we began to see signs of progress, the DEA issued a new and chilling warning — the resurgence of carfentanil, an opioid so powerful it defies comprehension.

Originally developed as a tranquilizer for elephants and other large mammals, carfentanil is 10,000 times stronger than morphine, and 100 times more potent than fentanyl. For comparison: just .02 milligrams — smaller than a grain of salt — can cause an overdose in a full-grown adult.

This drug is not intended for human use. Period.

Yet here it is — showing up in counterfeit pills and street drugs across the country, often without the user’s knowledge. It’s being pressed into pills that look just like Xanax, Percocet, or Oxycodone. What someone thinks is a “pharma-grade” painkiller could actually be lethal poison.

The statistics are alarming:

• In 2023, just 29 deaths were linked to carfentanil in the first half of the year.
• By the first half of 2024, that number skyrocketed to 238 deaths — a sevenfold increase, according to the CDC.
• Carfentanil has now been detected in at least 37 states.

Here in Arizona, the DEA’s Phoenix Field Division recently reported that 70% of the 1 million carfentanil pills seized statewide in the past year were recovered in just the last month alone.

Let that sink in: More carfentanil is flooding our streets right now than we’ve seen in years.

And it’s not just the volume — it’s how it’s being distributed. In 2024, most carfentanil seizures were in pill form, not powder. That’s a major shift, and a terrifying one.

Counterfeit pills look identical to legitimate medications. But unlike pharmaceutical-grade drugs, these street pills have no quality control — and no mercy. A single pill can contain enough carfentanil to kill multiple people.

One Pill. One Choice. One Life.

Let’s make this real.

Think of a teenager — maybe your own, or someone in your neighborhood. They make a mistake. Maybe they’re stressed. Maybe they want to fit in. Maybe they’re just curious.

They buy pills from someone on social media. Or a friend offers them something at a party. They’re told it’s just a “Perc” or a “bar.” They’ve heard of fentanyl, sure — but this doesn’t look dangerous.

So, they take the pill.

And…they never wake up.

This Is Why We Must Talk!

That story happens every day. And every time, someone says, “I never thought it would happen to us.”

That’s why I’m writing this. That’s why I’m asking you — as a parent, a coach, a teacher, a friend — to have the conversation.

One five-minute conversation could be the difference between life and death.

Talk about the risks of taking pills that didn’t come from a pharmacy. Talk about fentanyl. Talk about carfentanil. Talk about how it only takes one pill.

And most importantly, talk about how no one’s life should end from one mistake.

The Conversation Is Hard — But It’s Worth It

Too many families have faced the unthinkable: planning funerals instead of graduations.

We don’t need to add to that number.

We need to get ahead of this wave — to protect our kids, our communities, and each other.

Start the conversation. Share this article. Carry Narcan. Stay informed.

Because carfentanil is real. It’s here. And it does not give second chances.

Desert Diamond Casino West Valley awarded 3PC a $20,000 donation! Thank you, again, DDC West Valley, for this donation to help empower Peoria’s youth to make positive life choices and choose to live a drug-free lifestyle. We are blessed!

Desert Diamond Casino West Valley awarded 3PC a $10,000 grant via our fiscal agent Youth4Youth! Thank you, DDC West Valley, for this donation to help empower Peoria’s youth to make positive life choices and choose to live a drug-free lifestyle.

Experience Nationally Renowned Speaker Stephanie Siete at our August meeting!

Stephanie is a passionate speaker about the impact of drug abuse on American culture today.

You can find us in the Peoria Times and Mountain View Magazine

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