NORTH DAKOTA ( KXNET ) — Kids in North Dakota are going back to school this month, and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) wants families to take some time to have conversations about the unintended consequences of experimentation.

The top two drugs being seized by DEA investigators are fentanyl and methamphetamine. While methamphetamine is not usually found in grade school levels, DEA seizures have been trending upward.

CJNG and Sinaloa, two cartels, are pressing pills that are designed to look like common prescriptions, like Xanax, Adderall, and Oxycodone. These fake pills closely resemble legitimate medications, making it impossible to tell the difference. However, DEA laboratory testing shows that seven out of 10 pills contain a lethal dose of fentanyl.

Vaping and marijuana use are other topics of concern, so families are encouraged to talk about the harmful side effects of vaping along with the consequences of ingesting marijuana.

“A lot of parents often wonder if their kids are listening when they talk,” said Steven T. Bell, the DEA Omaha Division Special Agent in Charge. “The truth is, they are. Sit down as a family and talk about the life-altering effects of drugs and the damage they cause to the developing brain, heart, and lungs. Your conversation could save a loved one from putting themselves in a dangerous situation.”

The only safe medication is prescribed by a trusted medical professional and dispensed by a licensed pharmacist.

If you need information about how to talk about the danger of drugs, you can visit one of these websites .

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