Outaouais teens abusing non-prescription Xanax they buy online

Teens in the Outaouais are increasingly consumingXanaxpills purchased online a dangerous trend that's putting them at risk, the region's addiction prevention authority warns.

Xanaxis prescribed for anxiety and panic attacks, but many of the pills the teens are buying are counterfeit.

The problem is so widespreadLe Centre d'intervention et de prvention en toxicomanie de l'Outaouais(CIPTO), which works to prevent drug addiction,has asked the region's public health agencyto intervene athigh schools in the area.

"It's the popular product this year," said Stphanie Patry, ayouth addictions worker with the Centre intgr de sant et de services sociauxde l'Outaouais (CISSS).

"It's clear that I have more youththis year who consume Xanax compared to previous years,"

Patrysaidin a French-languageinterview teachers in some schools have been informed of the symptoms associated with taking Xanaxso they can screen studentsand offer help.

Teens who consume Xanaxexpose themselvesto serious risk of addiction, said Tin Ngo-Minh, a CISSS psychiatrist.

"Xanaxis one of the benzodiazepinemedications that causes the most dependence because it has an immediate effect," Ngo-Minhsaid in French.

"The high that comes with taking the drug is very strong. People search for this highand when it wears off they want to take more."

Xanaxcan also be dangerous when it's mixed with alcohol, Ngo-Minhsaid.

"If you take it with alcohol it's like you are taking lots and lots of alcohol," he said.

"People can suffer from respiratory depression, vomiting and aspiration pneumonia. It's very dangerous."

Widely available

Radio-Canada confirmed the existence of online pharmacies offeringXanax without a prescription, many based in Canada.

The pills are available at a low costand can be delivered to a customer's home within a few days.

Teens often ignore the fact that they might not be taking realXanax, said CIPTOdirector Yves Sguin.

"Sometimes it's the real product, like in the pharmacy, but sometimes it's an imitation," he said.

"That is the big risk because we don't know what's in those pills."

Pills on the street

Xanaxis also being sold on the streets of Gatineau and Ottawa.

In January, Ottawa police arrested a suspect accused of selling large quantities of Xanax and cocaine, and in February Gatineaupolice seized a variety of drugs, including700 Xanaxpills, from two men.

Ottawa Public Health told Radio-Canada the online purchase of Xanaxamong teens is not a trend that's currently on its radar.

Parents who discover their teens have purchased Xanaxpills should engage in a frank and open discussion with them, Patrysaid.

"If the parent panics, their children might close up even more," she said.

Parents can also seek help from variousaddictions resources in the area, Patrysaid.