Synthetic Drugs
Synthetics
Synthetic Drugs are Synthesized chemically in a man-made laboratory to produce drugs that are not found in nature. There are hundreds of compounds and variations of Synthetic Drugs, but they break down into two main categories – Synthetic Cannabinoids (Marijuana) and Synthetic Cathinones (Cocaine). They first hit the scene in Europe starting in 2009 and then made their way into the United States– initially in Louisiana and the North/East. They became instantly popular because people were looking for a cheap, legal high that was easy to obtain.
Unfortunately, Synthetic Drugs are more potent and cause far more serious and long-term effects than the natural drugs they are trying to imitate, YET people don't know much about them so are more apt to take them. The FDA Safety & Innovation Act of 2012 placed 26 types of Synthetic Cannabinoids and Cathinones into Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act.
Bath Salts have been specifically linked to many cases of Murder, Self-Mutilation and Suicide.
Synthetic Marijuana
- Synthetic Marijuana is a mixture of herbs, spices, or genetic plant material sprayed with a Synthetic Compound chemically similar to THC (the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana).
- Looks like potpourri or incense and come in small packets that are marked "NOT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION or AROMATHERAPY USE ONLY."
- Also called Fake Pot, K2, Spice, Serenity, Genie, Twisted XXX, Diablo, Hawaiian Haze, Chill Spice, Ground Zero, C4 Bomb, Skunk, Sense, Magic, Mr Nice Guy, K4, Killer, Banzai, Blaze and Red X.
- These synthetic drugs can be extremely dangerous and addictive. Health effects from the drug can be life-threatening
- Smoked or Inhaled.
One of ten of the compounds found in Synthetic Marijuana is four to five times more powerful than the THC found in most marijuana.
Synthetic Cocaine/Meth/LSD
- Synthetic Cocaine is a white powder/crystal substance that is derived from Mephedrone and MDPV (Methylenedioxypyrovalerone). Mephedrone is an amphetamine substance that is scraped off the African Khat Plant and provides feelings of excitement and euphoria; while MDPV is a highly addictive substance that has 4X the potency of Ritalin.
- Comes in little packages that look like Bath Salts and are marked NOT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION.
- Commonly called Bath Salts, but also Vanilla Sky, Ivory Wave, Meph, Drone, Meow, Bubbles, MCAT, Legal Coke, White Lightning, Scarface, Red Dove and Wild Horse.
- Poison center experts say these substances are among the worst they have seen.
- Inhaled, Snorted, Injected, Smoked or Swallowed.
Federal law passed in 2012 bans a handful of the chemicals used in Bath Salts.
Symptoms of use
- Extreme Paranoia – Users think there are demons or aliens out to get and destroy them, so they must be destroyed first.
- Superhuman Strength – Users feel invincible and act abnormally strong
- Depression, Insomnia, Anxiety
- Tremors, Seizures
- Nausea & Vomiting
- Heart Palpitations & High Blood Pressure
- Chest Pains, even in young users. They feel like they're having a heart attack.
- You see packets of what looks like Incense, Potpourri or Bath Salts.
There have been several cases where the use of Bath Salts have lead to extreme violence.