Have you ever heard of K2, and Spice or Charge Plus and Hurricane
Charlie? They are labels given to substances within two categories of
the hundreds of synthetic drugs sold in the U.S. K2 and Spice are two of
the many names used for synthetic cannabinoids sold as "herbal incense"
or "potpourri."
Charge Plus and Hurricane Charlie represent a sampling
of the names given to synthetic cathinones sold as "bath salts" or
"jewelry cleaner" according to the Office of National Drug Control
Policy (ONDCP).
The ONDCP states these substances are sometimes labeled as "not fit
for human consumption," so why should we be concerned? The labeling is
clear. Unfortunately, the labeling serves only to allow manufacturers
and distributors to escape Food and Drug Administration regulations, but
does nothing to prevent them from marketing these drugs. Synthetic
cannabinoids are often smoked or consumed as tea; synthetic cathinones
are ingested, snorted, smoked or injected.
These substances may be attractive because many are legal and easily
available through the Internet and community shops. These facts
contribute to people believing synthetic substances are harmless and
natural when this is far from true — they are manufactured chemicals.
For example, synthetic cannabinoids consist of chemicals sprayed onto
plant products.
Packaging fuels the misunderstanding of synthetic substances by using
labelling such as "premium natural blend" or "herbal burnables." There
has been much work done by the federal government and individual states
toward banning these substances, but the constant creation of newer
formulations makes them difficult to control.
Synthetic cannabinoids, according to the Center for Disease Control
(2016), can be up to 100 times stronger than tetrahydrocannabinol (THC,
the active component in marijuana) and are addictive.
In July of this
year, in response to an increase of visits to emergency departments due
to reactions from synthetic cannabinoids, New York City officials issued
an advisory on synthetic drugs of abuse.
The CDC refers to synthetic
cannabinoids as poison, explaining it is not like marijuana but is in
fact "unpredictable." People brought into medical facilities for
treatment following use of synthetic cannabinoids suffer from a range of
effects including psychiatric, heart and kidney problems.
The CDC
describes some people becoming delirious, hallucinating or falling into a
coma. It has also contributed to a few people dying.
Synthetic cathinones, according to the National Institute on Drug
Abuse (NIDA), are similar to stimulants such as amphetamines and
cocaine. Although they can cause an increase in energy, this comes at
the cost of agitation, and elevations in pulse and heart rate. Other
effects can include paranoia, panic attacks and hallucinations. NIDA
states synthetic cathinones are addictive, sometimes causing intense
cravings and symptoms of withdrawl. There are no known medications to
treat this addiction and therapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy,
are recommended.
The attraction of synthetic drugs is heightened by their low cost and
the difficulty of detection through testing. Although lab testing for
these substances does exist, it is challenged by frequent new
formulations. The formulations are changed in an effort to escape
notice. At times this makes it harder for emergency departments when the
exact nature of the symptoms of poisoning cannot be detected.
The cartoons brightly decorating the foil packaging of these
substances serves to attract preteens and adolescents. The labels
include catchy phrases. Synthetic cannabinoids, in addition to K2 and
Spice are also known as Joker, Black Mamba, Kush, Kronic, Geeked Up,
Smacked, Scooby Snax, Green Giant, Red Giant, M. Bad Guy, Trippy, Ice
Dragon, AK-47, Bliss and Kick.
Synthetic cathinones, in addition to Charge Plus and Hurricane
Charlie are also known as, N-bomb, Ivory Wave, Ocean Snow, Flakka,
Bloom, Cloud Nine, Lunar Wave, Vanilla Sky, White Lightning and
Scarface. Neither list of names is all inclusive.
There are several more synthetic substances of abuse than the two
discussed in this article. Their danger lies in the rapid manufacturing
of new formulations making the full impact unknown, and their
availability for legal purchase creating greater access to children. We
do know the toxic symptoms are wide ranging and life threatening.
Just how easy is it to get them? Check out your local gas station or
convenience store. You may find them there, available for purchase by
any shopper of any age.
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