Magee Police Chief Denis Borges said officers have had to respond to several seizures and overdoses due to marijuana laced with meth and fentanyl. He said drug dealers are targeting teenagers, particularly those involved in gangs or facing mental distress.

The Magee Police Department is rolling out Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) programs in local schools. Officers are also asking parents and guardians to be vigilant in talking to and disciplining their children.

“Kids are being targeted because they’re the most vulnerable ones to get, especially those who don’t have parental guidance in their house, in their home, because those kids are just living on their own, basically. I mean, they might have a mom in the house or a grandfather in the house, but they’re allowing the kid to get to roam around streets, hanging around at all times late at night. Those kids are going to more likely be the one most susceptible to get into gangs. And what gangs offer, they offer sex, women, and drugs,” said Borges.

He said those who provide the laced marijuana, which results in a death, could face manslaughter charges.