Synthetics

Kerry Herndon, MSW, LAC-EWestern Montana Addiction ServicesProject SUCCESS- Sentinel HS

Synthetic Marijuana

Realities of Fake Weedhttp://edition.cnn.com/2013/02/04/health/synthetic-marijuana-irpt/?hpt=hp_mid

First reported use in the US was in 2009

First seen in Europe in 2004

Synthetic marijuana was linked to 11,406 drug-related emergency department visits in 2010

Year Number of Poison Control Calls2010 2,9062011 6,9682012 As of Dec. 31, 2012 5,200

May be harmful heavy metal residues in Spice mixture

Teen Use of Synthetics 1 in 9 high school seniors nationwide have used spice in the

last year (2011) More popular among boys than girls -In 2012, nearly twice as

many male 12th graders reported past-year use of synthetic marijuana as females in the same age group.

Synthetics- Why do people use them?Advertised as natural and safeLack of education about the risksLess likely to get caught (UA’s)Sometimes it is easier to accessSuppose to feel like marijuana, but

the high comes faster and doesn’t last as long

Creates a relaxed feelingAdvertising! The packaging looks

fun.

Synthetics & The Body Has been known to cause death after one use Extreme anxiety, paranoia and hallucinations Suicidal thoughts Vomiting Agitation and confusion Seizures Muscle Spasms/Tremors Extreme nervousness Dilated pupils Headaches/Migraines Violent tendencies Slurred speech

Synthetics & The Heart

Increased heart rateElevated blood pressure Reduced blood supply to the heart

(myocardial ischemia)Associated with heart attacks

Spice/K2: Legal? Difficult to regulate – tried to make chemicals

in Spice illegal, but it is then made with different chemicals and sold.

Says on packaging “not for human consumption”

Different brands use different chemicals and potencies, so it is hard to know how much and what you are taking.

DEA’s story about Wyoming Girl – Kidney Damage

Synthetics: More Info

3-5 times more potent than THC in marijuana

Addictive? YES!Withdrawal similar to that of

narcotics.Long-term effects unknownMIXING is dangerous!More drugs found laced with

syntheticsMany more “Designer Drugs” being

developed, all out have had deaths associated with them.

One Last Thought…

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/04/legal-drug-spice-teens_n_871173.html