Children today are educated in school and at home about the dangers of using drugs. There are several programs and campaigns in place designed to warn students about the consequences of drug use with substances like marijuana, heroin, and alcohol. However, there is an emerging market for drugs that parents and schools are still unaware of, and it is costing children their lives and their futures.
Recently, there has been a wave of new, synthetic drugs that have been sweeping the nation. These drugs often referred to as “Spice” or “K2”, are a synthetic form of marijuana. They are artificially made, contain dozens of harmful chemicals, and are not USDA approved. These chemicals are sprayed onto leaves, and users smoke these synthetic drugs like marijuana, giving them a sense of high and euphoria.
These drugs are legal for purchase and consumption in many states. There are several reasons consumers find these drugs appealing. The main reason is that synthetic drugs do not show up on drug tests, making it an attractive alternative for people who go through drug screenings. It is also widely available in many locations. You can even walk up to a gas station counter and buy packs of K2, Spice, or other synthetic drugs. Synthetic drugs are a very convenient choice for users, but the consequences simply are not worth it.
All drugs have incredibly negative side effects, but synthetic drugs are especially dangerous. In the last year alone, has been a rapid influx of people visiting the emergency room and hospital because of the effects of these synthetic drugs. One Dallas hospital reported 40 hospital visits within 48 hours for treatment of people suffering synthetic drug overdose.
“They think it’s safer and it’s not. It’s completely the opposite,” said Dr. Javier Cortinas. “If they are going to learn anything from this, they should learn that it’s not marijuana at all. It has effects completely different, and 50 to 100 times more powerful than marijuana.”
Many people believe that K2 and other synthetic drugs produce the same euphoric feeling as marijuana. However, the chemical composition of synthetic substances is what makes them uniquely dangerous. Ultimately, you have no idea what you are putting in your body because of the varying chemical compositions of these substances. Synthetic drug companies are able to avoid laws and regulations because they constantly tweak the chemicals they use in their products.
In fact, each individual bag may have different chemical compounds in it, making it impossible for a buyer to be responsible when purchasing these substances. This makes it even more difficult for law enforcement and the USDA to crack down on manufacturers who are constantly working on ways to evade legal regulations on their products.
“They don’t have the resources or tests available that allow them to test the items,” said Montgomery Country prosecutor Phil Grant about law enforcement’s inability to crack down on synthetic drug use.
Synthetic drug manufacturers claim that their products are not drugs, but rather research substances. They are sometimes labeled as potpourri on the packaging, making them seem harmless to the average consumer. Packages say things like herbal incense so that only drug users can identify the substance. In actuality, they are marketed and consumed as drugs. This deceptive marketing makes it tough for law enforcement to catch on the trend.
Synthetic drugs have claimed and ruined the lives of countless numbers of individuals. “Every day, every day, every day I regret it,“ said a Beaumont man, who has been using synthetic substances for nearly 5 years.
“Someone was able to kill my son for $10, and there was nothing we could do about it,” said Tyler Hobson, a father whose son passed away after consuming synthetic drugs.
It is clear that action needs to be taken in order to prevent this epidemic from claiming lives and tearing families apart. Texas has taken the first steps in preventing the consumption and distribution of these drugs by classifying possession as a Class C misdemeanor and banning the sales of synthetic drugs in stores.
Many critics question, however, if the true solution lies in stricter punitive measures against drug users. Matthew Simpson, the policy strategist at the American Civil Liberties Union, noted that placing a criminal charge on a teenager could jeopardize their future.
Instead, we need programs that educate children on the dangers of synthetic drugs and inform them of the consequences that drug use can lead to. With these dangerous, synthetic drugs, even using them one time can cause life-long consequences in terms of health and criminal record. It is much more productive to educate and prevent a teen from trying the drug in the first place.
