Red Alert: 10 Things You can't afford to miss About Synthetic Drugs

Synthetic drugs are becoming an increasing problem in America. It is important to educate yourself on this issue and be aware of the vulnerabilities for which unassuming teenagers can be at risk.

Here 10 things you need to know about the latest deadly synthetic drug called 25I-NBOM and 2C-C-NBOMe.

1. The name is complicated. 25I-NBOM and 2C-C-NBOMe won't exactly be showing up in your teen's text messages. These drugs are commonly sold as “LSD” or “Acid.”
2. Teens don't know what they are buying. Teenagers are not always searching for these dangerous synthetic drugs. They are more commonly trying to buy LSD or Acid. The buyer is usually unaware what they are getting. This deadly mix of chemicals are extremely harmful and believed to be harmless when purchased.
3. These drugs kill. These drugs are not tested before they are sold and consumed. Synthetic drugs are sold to look like other drugs. LSD has not had a documented overdose and is not poison to the body- although it does have many other harmful affects. Synthetic drugs look like LSD so the drug user thinks they are taking something which is not deadly. However, these drugs are extremely deadly and are poison to your system powerful enough to kill.
4. Dangerous drug is sold everywhere. These drugs are not hard to purchase. They can be bought locally. The trend is growing so rapidly due to the new synthetic drugs on the market.
5. 25I-NBOM and 2C-C-NBOMe are illegal. For now. In 2013 the drug was added to the controlled substance list. The drug will be illegal until 2014, but you need contact your state and federal government representatives.
6. These drugs are new trend. Red Alert. There have been several hundred more synthetic drugs in circulation just in the last couple of years. There needs to be a lot of conversation with teens about this growing trend. They need to understand this issue is real and real close to home.
7. Synthetic drugs are sold everywhere. According to CNN, in 2009 there were only a few synthetic drugs. In 2012 there were over 158 and it has grown to over 300 known synthetic drugs. This means there are more out there and we have little information about them.
8. Teenagers are in need of supervision. Parents need to supervise their teenagers activities. There needs to be supervision where your teen will be if you are not going to be there. It is important you are getting to know their friends and having open conversations about the choices your teen makes when they are with their friends. If you find drug paraphernalia in your child's belonging begin this conversation immediately and be sure they know the dangers of what is available. Parental involvement plays a vital role in drug use. The strongest declines in drug use occur when more parents and guardians talk to their kids about the risks of drug use.
9. This is not a “harmless” drug. Although the drugs may look the same as "Acid," they are a different recipe and extremely toxic to the body. The days of natural drugs are over. There is no guarantee the pill, acid hit, or marijuana is not laced with something synthetic.
10. Synthetic drugs are chemically made. These drugs are generally made by an underground chemist and there are no regulations. There is nothing natural in their make up. They are not tested on anyone. Unfortunately, we learn about them usually when it is much too late.
    
    

Please be sure to educate yourself on the growing trends of drugs in circulation and how they are being sold. Parents and Caregivers should find a way to keep teenagers busy so there is not hours, days, and weeks of idle time left unsupervised during the holiday. Talk about these trends and information in the car, at dinner, or while on the way from place to place. These conversations and information could save a life. Empower yourself and your family by knowing what is out there and how to protect your kids!