People can no longer experiment or try just once, as one pill can kill. Many drugs are cut with fentanyl and other chemicals. Marijuana is synthetically altered with butane to give it the wax like look. The butane alone can cause psychosis. Diamonds are the new marijuana with almost 100% THC concentration. It looks like methamphetamine but even Crystal Meth has evolved as it has an entirely new recipe resulting in mental deterioration immediately.

Vaping among our youth and young adults continues to be on the rise and electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) are flavorful, hard to detect and can be used with all the chemicals discussed above. Most vaping use begins because it tastes good. Nicotine is cherries, bubble gum, Oreos and ice cream these days, while the liquid nicotine is a much higher concentration causing quick onset addiction.

• Attendees will learn about new meth and increase in mental health deterioration
• Attendees will understand fentanyl is prevalent in use as it is commonly mixed in all substances
• Attendees will learn how the pandemic impacted drug overdose deaths in US
• Attendees will learn about the various forms of marijuana including diamonds, BHO, edibles, oils, etc. and understand the different effects of chemicals like delta 8, CBD and THC
• Attendees will learn about manipulation and targeted marketing of successful drug companies

Stephanie Siete began her career with Community Bridges, Inc. (CBI) in 2002 as a drug prevention specialist and has worked her way up in the prevention field educating students, teachers, parents, police and universities about drug dangers and trends. Over the years, she moved into the roles of the Public Relations Director and Community Education Director to her recent position of Public Information Officer (PIO). In an ever-changing world of substance abuse, the role of the PIO is to inform the public, first responders and corporate offices (etc.) via media and trainings about new drugs, risks to use and exposure, and provide resources for help on care and addiction. She has spent her career training and networking with local and national police and fire departments, healthcare providers and governmental agencies. She has hosted seminars for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Arizona School Resource Officer Association (ASROA), High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) in Florida and Ohio, International Narcotics Interdiction Association (INIA), and International Latino Gang Investigators Association (ILGIA). Her work with the FBI earned her the honor of the 2016 FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award – Phoenix Division. She was recognized in Washington DC by former FBI Director, James Comey, in April 2017. And in late 2017 also received the Sierra Tucson Hope Recognition Award from her colleagues in the field of addiction. She became a member and speaker for PAVE (Parents Against Vaping and E-Cigs) and TFK (Tobacco Free Kids) in 2020.