Synthetic Drug Awareness

LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE/FOUO2 BLUF Consistent trend in use across DoN  CONUS / OCONUS  Navy / Marine Corps Similar trend – Army /Air Force No anticipation of decline in 2011 Threat to Operational Readiness and Warfighter Coordinated effort required to mitigate threat by:  Law enforcement  Prevent / Reduce / Eliminate use  Legal  Hold users Accountable  Command Leadership  Increase Awareness of negative impact / effects

LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE/FOUO3 Spice  Mixture of natural herbs and synthetic cannabinoids  Sold as incense  Smoked for marijuana-like effects  Natural herbs  baybean, blue lotus, lion’s tail, lousewort, indian warrior, dwarf skullcap, pink lotus, red clover etc…  sprayed with synthetic cannabinoid before packaging for commercial sale  Synthetic cannabinoids  Provide THC-like effect  “High” ranges 4 to100 times more potent  up to 12 hours duration  Impair coordination & memory

Spice  Availability  Sold as incense, potpourri, herbal room freshener  Labeled “Not for Human Consumption”  Convenience stores, gas stations, smoke shops, head shops, liquor stores, on-line  Common Brands  Spice, K2, Genie, Red Dragon, Scale, Yucatan Fire, Zohai (several more)  Different brands = different synthetic compounds = different effects  Price  $10 - $90 per gram  Determined by locale / availability LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE/FOUO4

5 Effects Marijuana-like “high”  Decreased motor skills / impaired coordination  Impaired concentration / short-term memory / senses  Increased heart rate / blood pressure Unpredictable  Combine use with alcohol  Strength of synthetic chemical used  Chemical blends continuously manipulated  Maintain legal status  No oversight / regulation over manufacturing process

Effects Users Have Reported to ERs with Numerous Side Effects  Elevated Blood Pressure  Hallucinations  Tremors and Seizures  Tachycardia  Flushed Skin  Excessive Sweating  Numbness or Tingling  Vomiting  Loss of Consciousness / Non- Responsive  Agitation  Anxiety LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE/FOUO6 Users often report a PCP-like “separation from consciousness”

Effects Rapid Onset of Psychoactive and Negative Health Effects  Hospitalizations  Public Safety Issues  DUIDs  Violent Episodes  Intoxication  Other Criminal Offenses LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE/FOUO7

8 Prohibitions SECNAVINST D NAVADMIN 108/10 (25Mar10) Marine Corps Order State action  Nineteen states have passed laws banning possession, use, manufacture, distribution Federal action  01Mar11– DEA issued a final order reclassifying 5 chemical compounds used in synthetic cannabinoids  Temporary Schedule I drug status

LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE/FOUO9 Challenges Continuous manipulation of chemical compounds Ease of purchase / concealment No field test No DoD / DoN urinalysis screening  Cost / time to develop Limited knowledge of long-term health risks One of many “synthetic”, “imitation” or “designer” drugs

LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE/FOUO10 NCIS Response  Special Agents corroborate commercial spice suppliers & local commanders place establishments off limits  Undercover operations w/ DON personnel  Buy walks, buy bust  Reverse sting operations  Over 100 cases presented for prosecution

MCPON Public Service Announcement LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE/FOUO11