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Educating local parents on the opioid crisis

Posted at 9:54 PM, Oct 19, 2019
and last updated 2019-10-20 10:00:36-04

LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Las Vegas valley parents had the chance to learn about teen drug use and how to prevent abuse.

The Clark County Library District, along with local organizations and state leaders, partnered up to tackle the opioid crisis at the East Las Vegas Library on Saturday.

It all happened in the parking lot, inside of a trailer where a makeshift bedroom of a teenager was set up. Experts were showing attendees places drugs could be hiding.

Some of the spots shown are everyday items you probably wouldn't think of like in this water bottle, and in the battery door of a computer mouse.

And there's one more "hiding spot" that a local doctor says could be in your home too.

Doctor Daliah Wachs says you can find it in your teen's text messages.

"A parent who is unaware can't interfere if they need to," says Dr. Wachs.

The "secret" texting language including code words like "cola" which means cocaine.

According to the Center for Disease and Control, on average 130 Americans die every day from an opioid overdose.

In 2017, there were 412 overdose deaths involving opioids right here in Nevada.