RED ALERT: FLAKKA DANGEROUS NEW STREET DRUG

Flakka is dangerous new strain of synthetic drugs, which have become popular out on the market. On the street, it's also called "gravel" for its white, crystal chunks. In the lab, it's known as a stimulant with the amphetamine-like effects of Molly and Ecstasy. In the media it's been dubbed "the insanity drug."

Indeed, flakka has fueled a recent, bizarre a wave of public behavior, all occurring in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. On April 4, a man who had smoked flakka ran naked in the streets, claiming people had stolen his clothes. In March, a man on flakka impaled himself on a spiked fence outside the police station. He survived. In February, a man on flakka tried to kick in the police station door, claiming cars were chasing him. (http://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/flakka-attack-new-synthetic-drug-joins-list-spanning-lsd-molly-n341506)

It is important to know about this new drug so you can educate adolescents on the dangers of these deadly synthetic drugs that are readily available and easy to access via the internet.

Here are five things to begin the conversation:

1. Know what the drug is called. It's called “Flakka.” It can also be referred to as the following: “high on flakes”, “snacking”-- which means taking additional drugs while high on Flakka, or “gravel. It can be crushed and snorted, swallowed or injected, is peddled under many brand names, including the less-potent cathinone, "Molly." It is a synthetic drug with no real track record of side effects-- leaving its victims as guinea pigs. Flakka is a chemically altered drug which means the side effects vary, but we know they are dangerous and deadly.
2. The chemicals in the drug are extremely dangerous. There are similar chemicals in “Bath Salts”- the drug which was accredited to being consumed by the man who ate another man's face in 2012. These drugs leave the victim feeling increasingly aggressive with violent hallucinations.
3. Synthetic Cathinones are a mixture of Cathinones which are derived from leaves in the Middle East which are chewed and have a euphoric effect. However, the Cathinones are mixed with synthetic chemicals. Neither the drug dealer nor buyer know what is actually in the drug. Each drug could be a dose leading to death. There have been a dramatic spike in Sythetic Cathinones drugs since 2010 (see graph below).
4. Flakka is often mixed with other drugs like methamphetamine. Mixing this drug is extremely dangerous. If someone takes Flakka who is already high, called “snacking” it can lead to serious health issues including bouts of extreme aggression, rapid heart rate, psychosis, and even death.  

Flakka is extremely dangerous. It is on the rise in popularity in Florida, but it is only a matter of time before the popularity spreads throughout the nation. It is imperative to empower your teens to avoid drugs because drugs can be sold as one thing, but actually be a completely different drug than specified by the dealer. Get educated. Get talking. Save your teen's life!

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