 Why are we here? › Synthetic drugs are a serious health and safety problem that needs to be immediately addressed. These drugs are readily available to anyone, regardless of their age, at a number of locations in Kingsport.

 Scope of this presentation: › The Various Synthetic Drugs and Their Effects › Medical Treatment of Synthetic Drug “Overdoses” › The Public Danger of Synthetic Drugs › The Increasing Local Presence of Synthetic Drugs › What Attempts Have Been Made to Deal with the Problem of Synthetic Drugs? › Why Have These Attempts Not Been Successful? › What is Being Done Now to Combat the Problem?

 Video on the effects of “Bath Salts” › FC4o&feature= FC4o&feature=

 The two most prevalent synthetic drugs in our society are: › Synthetic Cannabinoids (also known as Synthetic Marijuana) › Synthetic Cathinones (commonly referred to as “bath salts”)

 Synthetic Drugs and their effects: Bath Salts › These powders are marketed as bath salts but are not salts for bath water. They contain methylmethcathinone (4-MMC) or methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), powerful mood altering stimulants, formulated for effects similar to cocaine or methamphetamine. They are consumed by smoking, snorting, or injecting. Users claim a more social and interactive feeling, which can lead to hallucinations and profound paranoia.

 Synthetic Drugs and their effects: Bath Salts › Side Effects of Use: › Tachycardia (accelerated heart rate) › Hypertension (high blood pressure) › Paranoia, Delusions, Hallucination, Violence › Murder/Suicide › Psychosis (sometimes permanent)

 Video on “Bath Salts” › Cd1c&feature=autoplay&list=PLAA146C0314 5A5F36&lf=results_main&index=12&playnext= 2 Cd1c&feature=autoplay&list=PLAA146C0314 5A5F36&lf=results_main&index=12&playnext= 2

 “Bath Salts” Exposure › The American Association of Poison Control Centers reported 303 exposures to “bath salts” in › However, in just the first 8 months of 2011, 4,720 exposures had been reported.

 Synthetic Drugs and their effects: Potpourri and Incense › These forms of synthetic cannabinoids, marketed as types of home air fresheners, or herbal incense, are not regulated by the FDA. Risks of severe psychotic complications may be more likely to occur, because the type and amount of cannabinoid can vary considerably from batch to batch, even within the same product. Addiction is a strong possibility. Innovation in manufacturing of these products quickly outdates current banned product lists.

 Synthetic Drugs and their effects: Synthetic Marijuana › K2, K3, or “Spice” is a chemical compound that is 3 to 5 times more potent than THC. It is typically sold in small, silvery plastic bags of dried leaves and marked as incense that can be smoked. The active chemical compound decreases body temperature, leaves the body unable to feel certain stimuli, and increases the heart rate and blood pressure. These products are usually smoked in joints or pipes, but some users make it into a tea.

 Synthetic Drugs and their effects: Synthetic Marijuana › Side Effects of Use: › Hallucinations, Paranoia, Anxiety › Tachycardia › Hypertension › Seizures › Nausea and Vomiting › Note: While natural marijuana is sometimes approved to counter nausea and vomiting in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, synthetic marijuana actually causes these symptoms.

 Video on K2 › tIlbU&feature= tIlbU&feature=

 Synthetic Drugs and their effects: Plant Food › Mephedrone is labeled and sold as plant food. The powder mimics the effects of ecstasy. It is distributed in capsule form. Users break apart the capsule and snort or smoke the exposed powder. Insomnia, hypertension, vasoconstriction and sweating, as well as psychotic-like symptoms, cardiac dysrhythmias, seizures, and renal problems have been reported.

 Synthetic Drugs and their effects: Lazy Cakes › In addition to chemically created synthetic drugs, several products use natural ingredients to mimic the effects of certain drugs. Melatonin laced brownies are comparable to valium or tranquilizers. They contain 7.8 mg of melatonin (whereas approximately 0.2 mg will induce sleep in the average adult.) These products can cause impairment to the central nervous system, trouble breathing, and nausea.

 Synthetic Drug “Overdoses”: Medical Treatment › Effective medical treatment is extremely challenging due to the inability to stay ahead of the constantly changing formulations of synthetic drugs. › Some isolated cases have been treated with massive doses of Benzodiazepines (Valium). › It is virtually impossible for the medical profession to develop diagnostic tests and anecdotes quickly enough to identify and treat overdoses.

 Public Danger of Synthetic Drugs: Lack of Clinical Trials › Many times the doses, efficacies, safety, elimination profile, and basic pharmacology of these new compounds have never been studied in lab rats…let alone humans!

 Local Presence of Synthetic Drugs

 Synthetic Drugs Purchased Recently in Kingsport

 What is being done to combat the problem? › At the Federal level:  In March, 2011 the Drug Enforcement Administration listed five synthetic cannabinoids as schedule 1 controlled substances under the Federal Controlled Substances Act.  In October, 2011 the Drug Enforcement Administration listed three synthetic cathinones as Schedule 1 controlled substances under the Federal Controlled Substances Act.

 What is being done to combat the problem? › At the State level:  The State of Tennessee enacted T.C.A. sections (pertaining to synthetic marijuana) and (pertaining to “bath salts”) in an attempt to regulate and control synthetic marijuana and “bath salts” by listing some of the specific chemical elements and compounds used to produce these synthetic drugs.

 The Big Question… › If we have Federal and State laws dealing with Synthetic Drugs, why are they still being legally sold and purchased throughout our community?

 Several Reasons: › These products are being labeled “NOT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION” even though their real purpose is for human consumption. › By doing so, they bypass many FDA regulations, the most significant of which is that they do not have to list the ingredients of the product on the label.

 Several Reasons: › The chemical formulations of these synthetic drugs are being changed to avoid the application of these laws, but the effect of the newly formulated drugs is the same or similar to the original formulation. › Apparently, there are thousands of chemical formulations available to create these drugs, making enforcement using the current law difficult, if not impossible.

 If the current Federal and State laws are not working, what is being done now to fix the problem? › Local officials are lobbying state legislators in an attempt to give law enforcement the power to combat this problem. The hope is that Tennessee will enact a law similar to the law in our neighboring State of Virginia concerning synthetic drugs.

 Virginia State Law on Synthetic Drugs › The State of Virginia laws on synthetic drugs are much more general and thus much more enforceable. By not focusing on the specific chemical makeup of these drugs, and instead, focusing on the general effects of these drugs on the human body, Virginia has declared any synthetic drug that mimics the effects of any illegal drug, to be illegal as well.

 In the meantime… › On December 6, 2011 The City of Kingsport Board of Mayor and Alderman approved a City Ordinance dealing with synthetic drugs. › This ordinance is designed to protect the health and well-being of the public by regulating synthetic marijuana and “bath salts” that are created in such a way as to avoid regulation by Federal or State law. › Several other municipalities across the state have adopted similar measures.

 Final Thoughts › Synthetic Cannabinoids were first synthesized for legitimate medial research by Professor John W. Huffman. When he published his work, it was readily available to “fall into the wrong hands.” › Following his research, Professor Huffman stated, “People who use it [Synthetic Drugs] are idiots. You don’t know what it’s going to do to you.”

 Final Thoughts: › Only by working together can we overcome this epidemic of synthetic drugs.

 For more information on Synthetic Drugs or to schedule a presentation on Synthetic Drugs for your organization: › Contact the Kingsport Police Department’s Community Relations and Crime Prevention Unit  Call or 

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