DrugFreeAZKids.org understands the importance of communicating with your children. We want to share the necessary tools and information with you for starting these important conversations. Talking with your child about the dangers of drugs can reduce the chance of them using by up to 50 percent. This is why we are bringing you a series of regular blog posts, each focusing on a specific drug. It will cover the drug’s common names, effects and the important details parents should know.
Today’s post in our 411 Drug Series examines synthetic drugs.
What are they and what do they look like?
Synthetic drugs are man-made chemicals that were created to mimic the effects of other drugs, such as marijuana, meth, LSD or cocaine. They look like dried leaves or powder, and though illegal, they can sometimes be purchased at smoke shops, large retail outlets and online. They are typically labeled “not for human consumption,” but this is just a misleading mask to those unaware of their purposes. These masks can be found in the form of packets being sold as “herbal incense,” “potpourri,” “bath salts” and “jewelry cleaner.”
Other street names?
- Spice
- K2
- Bath Salts
- Plant food/fertilizer
- Bliss
- Black Mamba
- 2C-I Smiles
What are the short and long-term effects?
- Seizures
- Vomiting
- Profuse sweating
- Uncontrolled / spastic body movements
- Elevated blood pressure, heart rate and palpitations
- Long-term effects are unknown
What every parent should know:
Using synthetic drugs can elevate someone’s heart rate and blood pressure and can lead to paranoia, panic attacks, anxiety, giddiness, hallucinations, violent behavior, nausea, vomiting and psychosis induced by sleep deprivation.
DrugFreeAZKids.org’s mission is to provide parents with the information they need to educate their kids about dangerous substances. In addition to this blog series, we offer other valuable tools, such as webinars and evidence-based workshops to help parents raise healthy, drug-free children.
To learn more about how to prevent drug and alcohol use by teens, visit DrugFreeAZKids.org.
