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The warnings about drugs reaching increasingly younger kids hit parents the hard way in Ventura County. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office arrested an 18-year-old Oxnard man for an alleged narcotics operation that investigators say targeted students at local middle and high schools. He used colorful packaging and cartoon images to appeal to children. Even though …
18-Year-Old Accused of Targeting Ventura Students in Drug Operation
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The warnings about drugs reaching increasingly younger kids hit parents the hard way in Ventura County. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office arrested an 18-year-old Oxnard man for an alleged narcotics operation that investigators say targeted students at local middle and high schools. He used colorful packaging and cartoon images to appeal to children.
Even though California has a strong program to assist those impacted by drugs ranging from inpatient care to local Narcotics Anonymous Chapters, the case shows that dangers exist in any community.
The Operation
According to the Sheriff’s Office, the investigation began when a concerned parent reported that their child was exposed to narcotics and showed significant behavioral changes and a noticeable decline in academic performance. Detectives traced the source and caught 18-year-old Dylan Ruiz of Oxnard as the suspected supplier of illegal narcotics, marijuana products and nicotine to students across the region.
Accordingly, investigators say Ruiz ran an organized distribution system by traveling to different locations around the county and areas near local middle and high schools to sell. Many products had packaging that was colorful or featured animated characters that kids found appealing.
On September 10, detectives arrested Ruiz after finding a loaded firearm in his car. A subsequent search of his home in the 500 block of North Garfield Avenue in Oxnard turned up what investigators called an abundance of narcotics and related evidence.
Thereafter, Ruiz was booked into Ventura County Jail. The charges are possession of a controlled substance for sale, possession of marijuana for sale and furnishing it to a minor and multiple firearm offenses. He has a $50,000 bail.
Battling the Opioid Crisis in Ventura
This wasn’t the first time that Ventura County officials conducted a drug bust. The recent trend confirms how street drugs marketed to minors carry the same risks as everything else in the current supply. This includes contamination with fentanyl, which drives the overwhelming majority of US overdose deaths. Packaging aimed at kids makes it likelier a child will take it without understanding what it is.
Parents should watch and know the signs. Treat sudden behavior changes, falling grades, new social circles and unexplained money or items as prompts for a calm conversation with their kids.
Anyone who suspects a young person is using drugs, consider an early conversation. It beats an angry confrontation.
- Naloxone is available without a prescription in California and belongs in every household where opioids might be present.
- Fentanyl test strips can detect contamination.
And in fact, treatment works. Teens respond well to early intervention. In addition, families have options from outpatient counseling to structured programs.
NA for Young People
That’s where Narcotics Anonymous meetings come in. They’re free, confidential and allow teens to interact with peers and share experiences.
Finding an NA group is simple. Use our browsable directory to locate groups anywhere in the USA, filtered by location. You can also dial 800-934-1582(Sponsored) to chat with an expert and look at opioid addiction treatment options.
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