Teens are now using Juuls to smoke vapor cartridges containing THC, the component of marijuana that results in a high, according to Stacy Fletcher of the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics (OBN).

Fletcher spoke to the Kingfisher Lions Club on Thursday about the issue many schools are dealing with.

“Juuling” is already an issue because it is leading teens to become addicted to nicotine at high rates, explained Fletcher.

“Teens are going through a pod or a pod and a half each day which is equal to a pack or a pack and a half of cigarettes,” she said. “These were designed to help adults quit smoking, but it is having the opposite effect in teens.”

Inhaling the THC with a Juul is different than smoking marijuana traditionally because it does not result in the same odor, Fletcher said.

Fletcher also discussed potential dangers of the new CBD oil trend.

“CBD has been marketed as a ‘super essential oil’ that can ‘fix everything,’” she said. “The problem is there is not enough evidence backing this up.”

Cannabidiol (CBD) is an active ingredient in cannabis, but is not supposed to result in a high.

“Many people don’t realize that there are still low-trace amounts of THC in these oils,” Fletcher said. “It won’t get you high, but it still will show up on a drug test. I’ve seen moms giving it to their sons who are playing high school football, not realizing that if they get drug tested it will show up.”

She also informed Lions members that marijuana today is not the same as it was in the 70s or 80s.

“It contained 12 to 15 percent THC then and now it contains 60 to 75 percent,” said Fletcher. “It was considered a depressant then, but now it is considered a stimulant and hallucinogen.”

Methamphetamine continues to be another issue facing our state.

“Many people think that since there have been less lab busts the issue has gone away, but that isn’t the case,” said Fletcher.

In 2016, there were 335 meth-related deaths in Oklahoma, Fletcher said, more than any other drug.

The gap between the number of overdoses related to street drugs versus pharmaceuticals is narrowing, Fletcher explained.

In 2017, 45 percent of overdoses were from street drugs and 55 percent were from pharmaceuticals.

“They all have the potential for misuse at some point,” said Fletcher. “Your body doesn’t know the difference between legal and illegal substances.”

Fletcher encouraged all Lions to participate in the OBN’s prescription take-back program.

There are white boxes located at OBN office locations where you can drop off any unused pills.

Although the OBN does not take liquids, Fletcher advised pouring liquids into coffee grounds or cat litter, waiting for it to be absorbed, then disposing of it.

She explained that it is important to not leave the medications lying around your house, but to dispose of them properly in order to avoid misuse or abuse.