They’re sold over the counter at local markets and online. The only requirement is being 18 or older and having not much more than pocket change to buy them. Labeled as bath salts, potpourri, incense and other misleading, innocuous terms, these are actually dangerous synthetic drugs. The makers of these drugs get away with it by labeling them as household products and slapping a “not for human consumption” label on them. This way the FDA cannot prohibit their sale, even though almost everyone under 25 knows these things are actually drugs. With names like Xstasy, Mind-Candy and California Poppy, these products mimic the effects of illegal drugs like ecstasy and methamphetamine. By changing a molecule or two, they skirt the FDA’s regulations. There have been thousands of horrific incidents surrounding the use of these drugs as well as several deaths, mostly from temporary induced states of extreme insanity where someone might jump from a building or, in one case, slash their own throat or shoot themselves.
Make no mistake: these drugs are very serious and dangerous and they go right past drug tests so parents and counselors have a hard time intervening. “Bath Salts” mimic methamphetamine. Made from mephedrone, this drug is similar to meth, but causes severe nose bleeds when snorted. Spice is an herbal replacement for marijuana that when smoked, does not show up on drug tests. It’s potent and dangerous. Herbal ecstasy produces an effect so similar to the real drug that many kids prefer it. It’s legal and potent and they convince themselves since they are legal they must be safe. The availability of these drugs is frightening and the lack of control or any type of regulation from government agencies means we can have no real idea what the heck is in them. Two more: “wax” is an almost pure form of THC bought at legal dispensaries. This stuff causes severe side effects including severe sleep issues and appetite problems. Salvia is an unbelievably potent hallucinogenic plant that is smoked producing short, but intense episodes of frightening images and thoughts. No one has ever reported a “good trip” from this and it can be bought at local smoke shops for around $8. People jump out of windows, out of cars and other crazy things during the brief hallucination. What are we going to do? If your kid is on drugs, call and get something going in the right direction.
Scott Spackey is a California Registered Addiction Specialist, Interventionist, Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist and Life-Coach. For more information, please call 661-299-1966, email: Scott@Life-Mind.com and visit www.life-mind.com.