Spring break fears as Florida flooded with deadly party drugs which could be ‘100% fentanyl’ – dealers exploit chaos to peddle illegal substances and target youngsters on social media

Dealers are flooding Florida with fake party drugs that could be “100 percent fentanyl” as they exploit the spring break frenzy, state officials warn.

They’re using social media to promote drugs, including Xanax, cocaine and ecstasy, to tens of thousands of students who have come to the Sunshine State — but law enforcement officials fear the substances are laced with lethal levels of fentanyl.

Health officials are also prepared for a spike in accidental overdoses during the surge, with one charity expecting to hand out 5,000 doses of naloxone – used to reverse the effects of fentanyl – to partygoers.

Some dealers use popular social media apps, including Snapchat and Instagram, to promote party drugs. Others patrol the busiest party spots and sell fabric in broad daylight.

Officials in Fort Lauderdale are so concerned that they are offering free roofie testing so people can be sure their drinks aren’t spiked with date rape drugs.

Florida’s attorney general has warned that dealers are using social media to sell drugs, which are advertised using emoji code. But many party drugs are mixed with the deadly fentanyl

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “It’s spring break. All month long, millions of students will descend on Florida beaches for a long-awaited break from school.

‘While we hope everyone enjoys a safe, fun holiday, it is important that holidaymakers understand and are aware of the dangers of drug use. Lethal levels of fentanyl are now found in almost every illegal drug.”

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody said: ‘Deadly levels of fentanyl are now found in almost every illegal substance’

Tens of thousands of rowdy students have already descended on Fort Lauderdale, the epicenter of this year’s festivities after nearby Miami Beach imposed restrictions to curb the chaos.

Photos published by DailyMail.com show beaches and bars already buzzing ahead of the two-week extravaganza. In one video, a young woman shows off “bronzer and cocaine” to start her day.

But officials are concerned Many partygoers don’t know that drugs they buy on the street or through social media during spring break can contain fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that is 100 times stronger than morphine.

The Drug Enforcement Administration has found that about seven in 10 illegal pills contain a lethal dose of fentanyl. Many are sold as other substances and users have no idea of ​​the deadly risk.

Mike Chitwood, sheriff of Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, which includes hugely popular Daytona Beach, said, “We know there will be party drugs involved during spring break…

“You buy this stuff on the street, chances are you’re ingesting 100% fentanyl.”

Moody, the attorney general, has warned that dealers are using social media that targets young people.

“Online drug dealers are using emoji codes to sell dangerous substances to our children via social media,” she said.

Common symbols include the snowflake, the eight ball and the key for cocaine. Adderall, Xanax, and Percocet are typically represented by a pill capsule, while meth may be advertised with a crystal ball or diamond emoji.

Care Resource, a Florida health care nonprofit, said it will again distribute free doses of naloxone, known as Narcan, to students during spring break — after providing 4,900 doses during last year’s celebrations.

The drug reverses an opioid overdose, and partygoers are encouraged to carry it even if they don’t plan to use such drugs because of the risk of inadvertently ingesting fentanyl.

The beaches and bars in Fort Lauderdale are already buzzing in the run-up to the two-week extravaganza

Police patrol a beach in Fort Lauderdale during spring break on Tuesday, March 12, 2024

Naloxone is dispensed by Care Resource’s Special Purpose Outreach Team, known as SPOT, which protects youth from “the unsuspecting danger of recreational drugs laced with fentanyl.”

The organization has also warned about the rise of xylazine, a potentially fatal veterinary drug that is also used in party drugs.

“Many holidaymakers do not realize that the substances they buy on the street may be laced with fentanyl or xylazine,” warned SPOT manager Emelina Martinez.

In March 2022, several West Point Military Academy cadets had to be revived when they overdosed on fentanyl after using cocaine laced with the substance.

Four people went into cardiac arrest after consuming the substance, before two others also overdosed while trying to administer CPR. The incident happened at a rental home in Wilton Manors.

Research published by UCLA Health found that approximately 22 teens between the ages of 14 and 18 die each year nationwide after taking counterfeit pills containing fentanyl.