What are synthetic drugs and why they are bad for you

Covert Marketing

                The term “synthetic drug” (also called “designer drug”) refers to chemical compounds that are developed in laboratories and manufactured synthetically. They are often intended to approximate the psychoactive effects of an organically derived drug. Some well-known examples of synthetic drugs are Crystal Meth (a form of methamphetamine) and Ecstasy (methyl-enedioxymethamphetamine or MDMA). In a meth lab, the drug is “cooked” and its potency increased by combining it with substances like drain cleaner, battery acid, or antifreeze. Similarly, a pill sold as ecstasy (“E”) could contain any number of other drugs mixed with toxic chemicals, such as rat poison. While meth and ecstasy have been on the market for a while and their casualty rates are known, a number of relatively new synthetic drugs have hit the streets and school hallways. The current cycle breaks down something like this:

1.       A drug lab develops a new psychoactive drug.

2.       It is classified as “legal” because it is new or unknown to drug enforcement agencies.

3.       It is sold on the street, on the internet, or offered retail in gas stations, convenience stores, pawnshops, truck stops, tattoo parlors, tobacco stands, and other locations.

4.       It gets packaged with names like “bath salts”, “plant food”, “incense” or “insect repellent”, and labeled “not for human consumption” in order to evade regulation, while the buyers are aware of the intent.

5.       The adverse effects, such as violent incident or death, gradually become known. Eventually, states or governments may issue warnings or even a ban on the drug. It may become illegal.

6.       Through chemical synthesis, a new version of the drug is manufactured with the same or similar psychoactive traits. It could have a similar chemical make-up as the one before, or be an entirely new drug.

7.       The cycle begins again. If a name like “bath salts” becomes too common, it gets replaced by some other title like “iPod screen cleaner” or “jewelry cleaner.”

Recent Trends

There are literally hundreds – or more – of synthetic or designer drugs, and more are being cooked up at this moment. It would be wise to know of some of the prevalent ones:

“Bath Salts”

                What is termed “Bath Salts” has nothing whatsoever to do with Epsom salts or bath beads sold at your local mall. Bath Salts are synthetic, concentrated cathinones. Cathinone is the chief psychoactive ingredient of the khat plant. Khat is an Arabian shrub whose leaves are chewed (or made into tea) for their euphoric and stimulant effect. That, however, is a simplistic explanation, as the drug has proven itself a beast of distinctly harmful and violent characteristics. Bath Salts is sold as a whitish powder (or capsule) that is ingested, snorted or injected. It is packaged under a wide variety of names, such as Red Dove, Blue Silk, Vanilla Sky, Cloud Nine, Ocean Snow, White Lightning, Scarface, Hurricane Charlie, Zoom, Bloom, and Aura. Reports into poison control centers on the effects of Bath Salts have included increased heart rate, chest pain, hypertension, paranoia, extreme confusion, hallucination, suicidal thoughts, violent actions, serious injury, and death. The long-term effects have not yet been categorized.

The cathinones found in Bath Salts have other chemical names, specifically methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), mephedrone, and methylone. Reportedly manufactured in China, mephedrone is known by street names like “meph”, “drone”, “MCAT”, and “meow meow.” In the United Kingdom, between 2009 and 2010, mephedrone grew rapidly in popularity, being readily available on the internet, on the street, in shops, and at music festivals. The trend of labeling a synthetic drug with a misleading name may have started there, where the drug has been marketed as “plant food” or “plant fertilizer.”

Synthetic Cannabinoids

                Cannabinoid is a general term for a group of compounds that includes tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active psychoactive ingredient of cannabis (marijuana and hashish). Synthetic and “legal” marijuana has become a new drug of choice for young people. In the 2012 report from Monitoring The Future, close to 12% of high school seniors reported using synthetic pot in the last twelve months. With varieties that include “K2” and “Spice”, these compounds are also marketed under harmless titles like “herbal incense” or “plant food”, and labeled “not for human consumption.” In a report from the White House, effects of these compounds include dilated pupils, agitation, nausea, vomiting, accelerated heart rate, high blood pressure, tremors, seizures, and hallucinations. More recent reports from The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also indicate synthetic cannabinoids may be linked to kidney failure.

Prescription Drug Abuse

                The abuse of prescription drugs has become alarmingly prevalent amongst adults and youth alike. A child or teenager can all-too-often access pills in the medicine cabinet of theirs or a friend’s home. They can also get them for free or cheaply on the street or at school. Like Bath Salts, heroin or cocaine, pills are swallowed, crushed, snorted and injected. The list of prescription drugs that can be abused is practically limitless. Commonly abused drugs are painkillers (Vicodin, OxyContin, Percocet), and drugs in the psychotropic class (antidepressants, SSRIs, Ritalin, Adderall, Klonopin). These drugs are routinely listed as Schedule II narcotics due to their potential for abuse and addiction. Psychotropic drugs (also known as psychiatric pharmaceuticals) are the subject of heavy marketing campaigns. They are also the subject of heavy side-effects, including pupil dilation, accelerated heart rate, high blood pressure, panic attacks, insomnia, erratic behavior, violent outbursts, memory loss, suicidal or homicidal thoughts and actions, and death.

Over-The-Counter (OTC) Drug Abuse

                OTC drugs can be purchased with no prescription at drug stores and supermarkets. Cough syrup containing codeine is often abused, but is not supposed to be obtained without prescription. Many OTC cough syrups and other products contain the drug dextromethorphan (DXM). Robitussin, NyQuil and Coricidin all contain DXM and can be heavily abused. Abuse consists of consuming 30-50 times the normal dosage (drinking a whole bottle) in order to get a dissociative, euphoric or hallucinogenic effect. Slang names for these OTC drugs include poor man’s PCP, dex, candy, red devils, robo, skittles, tussin, rome, cherries, CCC, triple C, and candy coated chaos. Effects of high dosage include excessive sweating, skin irritation, slurred speech, shortness of breath, stomach pain, nausea and vomiting. Excessive abuse can produce heat stroke, liver damage, brain damage, coma, and in extreme circumstances can result in death.

Education and Rehabilitaion

                Ultimately, the war against drug abuse will only be won by cutting the demand. The first way to accomplish that is through education. This article contains links to source material and drug education sites. Use these and real communication to educate youth and adults alike as to the harmful effects of synthetic drugs. The second way to cut the demand is through rehabilitation. Holistic programs, such as that offered by Best Drug Rehabilitation, provide effective means to be free from the grips of drug abuse and addiction.