Prevention Resources Sheds Light on Dangers of Synthetic Drugs
By: Alex Hayes
Updated: June 22, 2012
From bath salts to synthetic marijuana, substitute drugs are finding their way on to store shelves around the Big Country. One local company attempting to educate the public on the dangers of these drugs is the Prevention Resource Center.
The two biggest names when it comes to synthetic drugs, are bath salts and K2, or synthetic pot. Probably the most confusing of the two however, is bath salts.
"Bath salts are also sold as plant feeder, stain remover, just so that name can be legal," explains Prevention Resource Coordinator Kristie Le. "The bath salts compared to going to buy it at HEB or Walmart is different."
The difference? The drug bath salts comes in a variety of forms, be it a capsule, table, or fine white powder and drug users have been known to snort, inhale, or inject the drug to reach their high.
One of the biggest threats with the bath salt craze, according to the Prevention Resource Center, is the lack of knowledge as to exactly what is in the drug. No synthetic drug holds true to this principle more than fake pot.
"Because it is synthetic, we do not know exactly what they are putting into it," says Lekeshia White, Tobacco Coordinator for the PRC. "There have been some cases of them mixing actual Cannibus plant in there."
And the only way for users to know for sure their fake pot has been mixed with the real thing, is via a standard drug test.
Symptoms of synthetic pot use can include profuse sweating, anxiety, and extreme paranoia.
"It mimics that of PCP, the paranoia," adds White.
Both of these drugs have been linked to violent crimes and suicides due to hallucinations while on the substance. Other users have experienced serious medical complications while on the drugs, landing them a stay in the emergency room, and in some cases the drug use has even resulted in fatalities.
The Prevention Resource Center says the best way to guard against the drugs, is to stay informed about the dangers.
"Education is very important," says Le, "talking to your child about the dangers..."
Le says reading the packages can also keep you from purchasing something you don't fully understand.
Connect With Prevention Resource Center:
104 Pine Street, Suite 4
Abilene, TX
(325) 673-3503
Find them on Facebook!
Twitter: @prcregion2
The two biggest names when it comes to synthetic drugs, are bath salts and K2, or synthetic pot. Probably the most confusing of the two however, is bath salts.
"Bath salts are also sold as plant feeder, stain remover, just so that name can be legal," explains Prevention Resource Coordinator Kristie Le. "The bath salts compared to going to buy it at HEB or Walmart is different."
The difference? The drug bath salts comes in a variety of forms, be it a capsule, table, or fine white powder and drug users have been known to snort, inhale, or inject the drug to reach their high.
One of the biggest threats with the bath salt craze, according to the Prevention Resource Center, is the lack of knowledge as to exactly what is in the drug. No synthetic drug holds true to this principle more than fake pot.
"Because it is synthetic, we do not know exactly what they are putting into it," says Lekeshia White, Tobacco Coordinator for the PRC. "There have been some cases of them mixing actual Cannibus plant in there."
And the only way for users to know for sure their fake pot has been mixed with the real thing, is via a standard drug test.
Symptoms of synthetic pot use can include profuse sweating, anxiety, and extreme paranoia.
"It mimics that of PCP, the paranoia," adds White.
Both of these drugs have been linked to violent crimes and suicides due to hallucinations while on the substance. Other users have experienced serious medical complications while on the drugs, landing them a stay in the emergency room, and in some cases the drug use has even resulted in fatalities.
The Prevention Resource Center says the best way to guard against the drugs, is to stay informed about the dangers.
"Education is very important," says Le, "talking to your child about the dangers..."
Le says reading the packages can also keep you from purchasing something you don't fully understand.
Connect With Prevention Resource Center:
104 Pine Street, Suite 4
Abilene, TX
(325) 673-3503
Find them on Facebook!
Twitter: @prcregion2
