Synthetic Marijuana

&Bath Salts

National Survey Results: Why should you be concerned?

11.4% of 12th graders reported using synthetic marijuana in the past year

Calls to Poison Centers increased from 2915 in 2010 to 5741 in 2011 (through Oct 31st) for synthetic marijuana

Calls to Poison Centers increased from 303 in 2010 to 5625 in 2011 (through Oct 31st) for bath salts

National Survey: Monitoring The Future, 2011

These drugs are created to get around existing drug laws

Most packaging is marked “not for human consumption” to skirt law(s)

These drugs are made by modifying the chemical structure of an existing drug

(chemicals developed in labs for research purposes; not intended for medical or recreational purposes)

What Parents Should Know About These Legal Drugs

Synthetic Marijuana Collection of herbs and spices sold as

“incense”(also marketed as plant food, research chemicals, toy/jewelry/glass cleaner)

Sprayed with synthetic compound similar to THC

$10 per gram or $30-40 per 3 gram packets

The chemical composition varies between products even with the same label and batch to batch

43 states have taken action against synthetic marijuana

33 states have taken action against bath salts

FDA has used emergency scheduling authority to ban some of these drugs but new products with similar but different chemicals are created

Legal Status

Health Effects – Synthetic Marijuana Vomiting Intense Hallucinations Tachycardia Increased Blood Pressure Seizures Loss of Consciousness Paranoid Behavior Agitation Anxiety

Note: Be aware, unpredictable effects may or may not occur due to the ever-evolving chemicals present in synthetics

Public Safety Concerns

DUI’s with fatalities Suicides Emergency Rooms are unprepared to

handle these types of overdoses Homicide-Suicide Drugs abused to evade drug screens

Possible Bath Salts Effects

Anxiety Fits and delusions Nosebleeds Agitation Increased heart rate Hallucinations and paranoia Diminished requirement for sleep Lack of appetite Increased alertness and awareness

Bath Salts High Effects begin 20 seconds-15 minutes

after use “Euphoric” effect can last 20 minutes to

over 3 hours Impairment remains long after the

euphoria is gone Increases dopamine and serotonin levels Heightens senses and increases sexual

arousal

Issues Marketed to teens and young adults Easily attainable via the internet, and local

smoke shops and convenience stores. Unknown ingredients/no known dosage No consistency in manufacturing process Not tested or approved for human

consumption Synergistic effects likely when mixed with

other drugs or alcohol Do not always show up on drug screening

tests

Parenting Strategies Educate yourself about these types of

chemicals (including how youth may conceal them)

Talk with your child about these drugs (use teachable moments and capitalize on the current media attention)

Set clear rules in your household regarding these “legal” drugs

Enforce consistent consequences should your child use these substances

If your child has ingested these drugs, take him/her to the hospital immediately

Open communication with other parents (parent networking)

Resources Cindy Vanderlee, Prevention Specialist

Academy, 396-3859 email: vanderleec@canandaiguaschools.org

Celeste Trickler, Prevention Specialist Middle School, 396-3865email: tricklerc@canandaiguaschools.org

Joni Mergenthaler, Family Services Facilitator, 396-3919email: mergenthalerj@canandaiguaschools.org

References

Elliott, M.E. (Host), VP Communications, CADCA. (2012, January 26)

Designer Drugs: The New Frontier. [Webcast]. Retrieved from www.mctft.com