Be Aware: High-THC Products Pose Additional Risks

October 5, 2022 - In addition to other dangerous substances like fentanyl, homemade products containing high levels of THC are currently circulating in the region. These drugs can be particularly harmful when consumed, as there is no way to tell their concentration or true ingredients without laboratory testing, making the risk of overdose and adverse affects very high. High-THC products have been linked to severe mental health episodes alongside other adverse impacts, and are often targeted towards youth and young adults. 

While most students on Mercer Island are not consuming these types of substances, it is important that parents are talking early and often with their children about the risks associated with consuming alcohol, cannabis, and other drugs, especially if the content of the product is unknown. For brief tips on how to talk with your child about this topic in an age appropriate way, the City’s Youth and Family Services Department recommends Prevention Tips for Every Age or the Washington State Health Care Authority’s Start Talking Now website for more in-depth information.

The Mercer Island Police Department, Youth and Family Services, and the Mercer Island School District are continuing to collaborate on drug awareness, prevention, and distribution enforcement both in our community and the region. For more information on high-THC products and their specific impacts, you can read the Seattle Times' recent article profiling the subject.