As we enter Substance Use Prevention Month, and prepare for Red Ribbon Week in our schools, we want to share information about current drug trends among youth. Our goal is to give parents and community members helpful information and tips for talking with the young people in their lives about drugs and alcohol. In this article we will provide information about 3 substances that are trending among youth that you may or may not have heard of, Zyn, NOS, and Kratom.
Zyn is the name of a popular brand of oral nicotine. These small pillow-like pouches contain white nicotine powder in dosages of 3mg and 6mg of nicotine, roughly equivalent to 2-3 cigarettes. Each tin comes with 15 – 20 pouches. Users place them between the lip and gum, where nicotine is absorbed directly into the bloodstream.
Like other nicotine products targeting youth, Zyn pouches come in sweet or minty flavors and are very discreet, making them easy to hide from adults. Nicotine is a highly addictive substance that is especially harmful to developing adolescent brains. It hijacks the brain’s rewards system by triggering high levels of dopamine, leading to cravings and addiction.
Nitrous oxide (NOS) or laughing gas is an odorless gas used legally in medical and food settings (such as dental procedures or whipped cream dispensers). However, when misused—often through small metal canisters called whippets—it can pose serious health risks. Risks include dizziness, fainting, and, in extreme cases, nerve damage, blood clots, stroke, or even death with repeated use.
NOS misuse has been growing among youth, partly due to its availability in smoke shops, online retailers (including Amazon), and due to its youth targeted flavor options like blue raspberry and vanilla. On social media, products like Galaxy Gas are often glamorized—without showing the associated dangers.
Kratom is a plant-based substance that is often marketed as an energy booster, mood lifter, pain reliever, or to manage opioid withdrawal. At low doses Kratom acts as a stimulant; at higher doses it can have sedative effects.
Kratom is sold legally in many areas, and is accessible in liquor stores, vape shops, and even online. It can also be found in different forms: powder, tablet, leaf, or liquid. Common side effects include dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, constipation, liver damage, muscle pain, and high blood pressure. Because kratom is not FDA-approved, products may be misleadingly labeled or contaminated, with unpredictable potency. Some drinks that contain kratom—like the popular Feel Free shot—are packaged to resemble wellness or energy drinks, which can mislead youth and parents alike. Users of Feel Free have reported addiction and other adverse health effects.
Prevention starts with conversation. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach, but here are a few tips that can help:
- Keep conversations short, informal, and frequent. Sometimes, multiple small conversations are more effective than one long, serious talk.
- You don’t have to be an expert. If your child brings something up that you’re unfamiliar with, treat it as a shared opportunity to learn.
- Avoid lectures or scare tactics. If your child admits to substance use, try to stay calm. Focus on their health and well-being, not on punishment.
- Promote healthy coping skills. Youth often turn to substances to manage stress or mental health issues. Instead of just saying “don’t do drugs,” talk about why some people choose to use legal and illegal substances and introduce positive outlets like music, sports, or creative activities.
- Be aware of possible signs and symptoms that can indicate that a young person in your life might be struggling. These signs can include anything from changes in eating habits, sleeping patterns, physical appearance, school performance, breaking rules, requests for money, and withdrawing from friends and family.
Together, as a community, we can support our youth in making healthy choices. Staying informed, engaged, and connected is the best prevention we have.