Pupil Safety Parental Notification: Synthetic Drugs – EC 48985.5
At Iftin Charter School, we are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all our students. While the long-term effects of synthetic drugs on physical and mental health remain uncertain, their immediate impact on a student’s education, family, and overall life can be severe.
Synthetic drugs are chemically modified substances designed to mimic the effects of known hallucinogens or narcotics while evading existing drug laws. These may include synthetic cannabinoids, methamphetamines, bath salts, and fentanyl.
Illicit fentanyl is particularly dangerous, as it is often mixed with other drugs—including heroin, methamphetamine, counterfeit pills, and cocaine—to increase potency, reduce cost, and heighten addiction. Any drug laced with fentanyl significantly increases the risk of a fatal overdose. Because fentanyl has no distinct taste, smell, or appearance, it is nearly impossible to detect without proper testing.
For more information on fentanyl and synthetic drugs, please visit the California Department of Public Health’s (CDPH) Substance and Addiction Prevention Branch.