Teenage Designer Street Drugs

In the first two months into 2011, the American Association of Poison Control Centers has fielded more calls about “bath salts” overdoses than in all of last year. “Bath Salts” are said to have an effect similar to cocaine or meth and are often touted as “fake cocaine” disguised in packaging as seemingly benign bath salts with a claim to deliver an energizing effect.

When teens snort or eat the street drugs known as bath salts, they take dangerous risks and make poor decisions, leading to serious injuries and deaths. These drugs contain a substance that resembles crystal methamphetamine or cocaine. Immediate effects like energy or euphoria can rapidly turn into severe anxiety, paranoia, and pain in the chest and heartbeat problems. Aggressive behavior, hallucinations and strong headaches have also been reported. Teens abusing bath salts may also show signs of disorientation, racing blood pressure and confusion. The most profound side effects from large overdoses include seizures, rhabdomyolysis, which is the breakdown of muscle fibers and the release of muscle fiber content (myoglobin) into the bloodstream, renal failure, and sometimes death. Adding to the dangers of the bath salt drugs is the nature of the packaging, which makes parents think their teen is using a harmless substance. As of July 2011, at least 28 states have banned bath salts, which are typically sold for $25 to $50 per 50-milligram packet at convenience stores and head shops. Unfortunately, this dangerous chemical is still available online and is sold as plant food as well as bath salts.

Spice, also known as K2, Fake Marijuana, Skunk, and other names is a synthetic (or man-made) substance made from shredded dried plant materials and chemicals. Spice appears to stimulate the same brain receptors that recognize specific chemicals and transmit messages into cells as marijuana does and produces a similar “high.”

Many of the signs of spice abuse and the withdrawal symptoms that accompany spice detox are similar to those that define marijuana abuse and addiction. One significant difference of note is that marijuana slows down breathing and heart rates but spice increases them. Some of the other signs of spice abuse and addiction are: drowsiness, relaxation, paranoia, nausea and appetite loss, hallucinations, rapid breathing and restlessness. Withdrawal symptoms are a definite sign of addiction. Your teen will experience withdrawal symptoms when he or she begins the process of detox or stops taking their drug of choice after a period of addictive use. Some spice withdrawal symptoms may include: anxiety, irritability, headache, insomnia and fatigue.

In March of 2011, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration published a final notice on the federal register regarding the emergency ban of five chemicals commonly used in products known as "spice," "herbal incense," and "synthetic marijuana."