Summary

With the increased use of designer drugs among adolescents, nurses need to take an active role in educating and treating patients as well as in changing health care practice and policy for banning new substances. This article provides a summary of the current evidence on designer drug use among adolescents to help educate psychiatric nurses on the high incidence and dangers of these substances and what signs and symptoms to be aware of for suspected use, as well as the role they should play in changing health care policies.