Synthetic DrugsA Growing Teen Danger

Synthetic Cannabinoids

Synthetic Cannabinoids are a mixture of herbal plant products sprayed with potent psychotropic drugs, often contaminated with unidentified toxic substances which contribute to various health effects.

Marketed under a variety of names including K-2, Spice, 7H, Black Mamba, Genie, Bombay Blue, Dragon, and a host of “catchy” names.

Depending on the synthetic compound, it can be anywhere from 4 times to over 400 times more potent than regular THC found in marijuana

Sold in convenience stores, tobacco shops, music stores, head shops, and over the internet

Sold as “incense” or “potpourri” and marked “Not for Human Consumption”

Most often smoked but can be mixed with food or drink

Symptoms / Side - Effects

Mimics marijuana “high” (induced more quickly and more intense). Unlike Marijuana, it binds very strongly to receptors in the brain

Hallucinations Seizures / Tremors Coma / Unconsciousness Vomiting Numbness / Tingling Increased Respiration and Elevated Blood Pressure (Medically

Dangerous) Elevated Heart Rate (Medically Dangerous) Increased Level of Anxiety and Agitation Leading to Panic Attacks

(Possible Suicide Attempts) Loss of Control Lack of Pain Response Profuse Sweating Uncontrolled / Spastic Body Movements Violent Behavior Long Term Effects Unknown !!!

Signs of Use / Abuse

Strong Clove or “Minty” Smell Coffee Grinder (The finer the powder, the easier it is to

smoke) Drug Paraphernalia (Pipes, screens, etc.) One minute happy….followed by withdrawal, depression,

or fits of anger and rage Need for additional money for vague or unexplained

reasons Staggered or Slurred Speech Turned away from old friends Use of Breath Mints or Gum Constantly Loss of Interest in Personal Hygiene Negative Attitude against Anti-Drug/Alcohol Programs or

Literature Bad attitude toward authority figures in their life Dishonesty Sudden Changes in Grades

Calls Received by Poison Control Centers for Exposure to Synthetic Cannabinoids , 2010 to

January 2012

“Bath Salts” are not Bath Salts

IS NOT

What Are “Bath Salts” ?

Stimulants: Man made chemicals related to Amphetamines (Speed)

Substituted Cathinones – Methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) and mephedrone, and methylone are the chemicals most often found in “Bath Salts”

Consumed orally or nasally

How Can You Tell ?

It Says, “Not for Human Consumption” “Not Illegal” “Adults Only”

It is probably for ingestion and NOT a Hot Bath !!!

Many Brands are not Sold as Bath Salts

Plant Feeder

Insect Repellent

Stain Remover

Once “Bath Salts” were made illegal and word spread that they were dangerous, the

distributors of these drugs put them in new, deceiving and eye-catching packages and worked

to exploit “loopholes” in the law.

Why Use “Bath Salts” ?

Energy / Alternative to Illegal Stimulants

“Legal” HighNot picked up on in a

Standard Drug TestReadily Available at

Convenience Stores, On-Line, Music Shops, Head Shops. Etc.

Side Effects of “Bath Salts”

Very Severe Paranoia that sometimes causes users to harm themselves or others

Euphoria Heightening of Senses Unusual Arousal Increased Energy Increased Blood Pressure Psychotic/Suicidal Thoughts/Hallucinations Nausea/Vomiting/Dizziness Seizures Intolerance to Pain Very High Temperature Death Long Term Effects Unknown !!!

Calls to Poison Control Center for Exposure to Bath Salts , 2010 to January 2012

What We Don’t Know About Synthetic Drugs

Dr. John Huffman, Clemson University Professor, as part of his research on endogenous cannabinoid receptors (but never tested on humans) stated:

“It is like Russian Roulette to use these drugs. We don’t know a darn thing about them for real. It shouldn’t be out there”. All effects of these synthetic drugs may not be known for a very long time because of the long period of time that the body stores them.

So far nothing is known about the metabolism of the chemical compounds in these drugs which may be toxic, resulting in higher risk of accidental overdosing which has been seen and is on the rise with increased numbers of ER and Hospital incidents reported.

The Developer of These Synthetics Speaks

In an interview, Huffman said: "It's like playing russian roulette because we don’t have toxicity data, we don’t know the metabolites, and we don’t know the pharmacokinetics". Huffman finds it difficult when he hears stories about friends or relatives who have gotten ill or died from using one of the synthetic cannabinoids which he designed. Still, he feels that he is not responsible for the actions of those who use them; he created these research compounds and published them - "I wasn’t the least bit surprised (that they were being produced). Somebody is going to look for something to make money from and to bring people temporary pleasure...".

Where Are They Made ?

What We Do Know !!!

JWH-018 and many of its “cousins” such as HU-210/211, JWH-073, & CP 47/497 found in these drugs have a chemical structure shared with known cancer-causing agents.

Dr. Huffman and Dr. Huestis (Chief of Chemistry/Drug Metabolism at the National Institute for Drug Abuse) indicate that these drugs “hijack the part of the brain important for many major functions: temperature control, perception, and cognitive skills”.

Doctors also advise that they involve acute toxicity levels, possibly long term. As well as impacting receptors that regulate the body’s immune system.

ER doctors observe that these drugs also affect the user’s cardiovascular system, as well as the central nervous system.

Blood and urine tests will NOT show the presence of these drugs !!

New Drugs on the Horizon

Krokodil Russian Heroin Substitute Mixture of Painkillers, Iodine, Lighter Fluid, Hydrochloric

Acid, Industrial Cleaner (Alkali), and Red Phosphorous Effects are Horrific

New Drugs on the Horizon

Pump-It Powder Geranamine – Methylananamine (Amphetamine) Gas Stations / Convenience Stores in Mid-West and the

Internet Sold as Energy Supplement

“CHEESE”: The New Face of Heroin

Black Tar Heroin + Xanax (Tylenol PM) = “CHEESE”

What is “CHEESE” ?

• Black tar heroin combined with crushed Xanax orTylenol PM tablets

• Highly Addictive and very dangerous

• Tan-colored powder usually snorted through the nose with a tube, straw, or small ballpoint pen

• Packaged in a small paper bindle or zip lock baggie

• Can be bought for as little as $2

• Popular among Hispanic juveniles, both male and female

Also known as Chees, Cheez, Chez, CHz, Queso, or KSO    

Bromo-Dragonfly

Bromo-Dragonfly

Also known as B-Fly Synthetic Hallucinogen with similar effects

to LSD Sold over the Internet Very Toxic – Risk of Overdose is High Similar effects as LSD, but the effects last

much longer Effects after orally ingesting may be

delayed for as long as 6 hours, which may lead to “double dosing” and overdose

Numerous fatalities in Sweden, Norway, and Denmark

CRUNK

Crunk is a sweet concoction that is made with: Over-the-Counter Cough Syrup, Sprite (or other soft drink), and crushed Prescription Painkillers.

Intense RushCauses blackouts and breathing

problemsSlurs speech and motor skills –

“Woozy Euphoria” Incredibly Addictive……and DEADLY !!!

Drunken Gummies

• Vodka is Odorless• Popular on YouTube• No idea how much

alcohol is actually going into system

Hand Sanitizer

Liquid hand sanitizer is 62 to 65 percent ethyl alcohol, orethanol, the main ingredient in beer, wine and spirits,making it 120-proof. To compare, a bottle of vodka is 80-proof.

What Can We Do ? It’s a Problem Motivated by Greed !!! Education about the products is important

because legislation is unlikely to keep pace with the production of new compounds. We can’t arrest our way out of the problem !!!

Team up with law enforcement, substance abuse counselors, educators, or other community stakeholders to co-deliver presentations to audiences in community.

Talk to Neighborhood Stores

Notify your neighborhood stores of your concerns and the consequences of non-compliance

TALK TO YOUR KIDS !!!

Start the Conversation INTERVENE if you think or know

that your child is using these drugs

DRUGFREE.org* Synthetic.buycheapr.com* smoK2.com* Revolutionincense.com* BuyK2spice.net* Someincense.com* Syntheticcannabis.com.au* K2forless.com…just to name a few !

Thank YouChief Bill Hollingsed

828-456-5363

wpdchief@waynesvillepd.com www.waynesvillepd.com

Waynesville Police Department