Xanax abuse increasingly common among local juveniles

The recent arrest of an 18-year-old woman for the illegal possession and sale of the anti-anxiety pill Xanax to a San Benito High School student who was unconscious at school highlights the increasing popularity of the abuse of the drug among juveniles, Hollister Police say.

Regular use of Xanax can, and often does, lead to addiction, with users sometimes resorting to selling prescription medications as a way to earn money. 

On Aug. 26, a student brought into the high school health office was breathing but unconscious and was unable to answer any questions. Paramedics, Hollister Fire Department and Hollister Police Officer Juan Guevara responded to the school to evaluate the student, who regained consciousness and was transported to Hazel Hawkins Hospital. 

Guevara was able to determine the student had purchased and ingested an Alprazolam pill, commonly known as Xanax, which is commonly prescribed by doctors as an anti-anxiety drug. An individual may possess Xanax only if they have a valid prescription. Having Xanax in your possession without a valid prescription can result in arrest. 

Police say Guevara discovered evidence to identify the alleged seller as an 18-year-old woman from Hollister. Guevara located the woman, determined she didn’t have a prescription for the drug, and arrested her for sale of Xanax as well as child endangerment. 

Some common signs and symptoms of Xanax usage are drowsiness, sedation, lack of focus, slurred speech, and confusion. Xanax is produced in multiple shapes and colors. If any assistance is needed in the identification of a suspicious pill, contact Poison Control free of charge at 1-800-222-1222 24 hours a day. Or, search pill identifiers online such as http://www.drugs.com/pill_identification.html or http://pillbox.nlm.nih.gov/pillimage/search.php, which is the website for the U.S. National Library of Medicine. 

The Hollister Police Department wants to remind residents that “drug sellers don’t always look like your stereotypical dealers. They may look like the boy or girl next door. Parents need to know who their kids associate with and be on the lookout for telltale signs of drug use.” 

Anyone with information on this case is asked to call Officer Juan Guevara at 636-4330. Persons wishing to remain anonymous can call the WeTip Hotline at 800-87-CRIME. Information provided to WeTip may qualify for a reward.