The Synthetic Drug Trend

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The Synthetic Drug Trend

• Looking to Understand the Shift in Adolescent
  Drug Use
• Presented by Mazzitti and Sullivan Counseling

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Undeveloped Minds

• Shocker! Teens arent as smart as they think they
  are.

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Recent research proves that the human brain is
not fully developed until around the age of 25.
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Do chemicals change the brain?

• "The addicted brain is distinctly different from
  the nonaddicted brain, as manifested by changes
  in brain metabolic activity, receptor
  availability, gene expression, and responsiveness
  to environmental cues. (1)
• Drug addiction works on some of the same
  neurobiological mechanisms that aid in learning
  and memories.

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Can addiction be prevented by delaying drug use
onset?

• Every year the use of a substance is delayed, the
  risk of developing a substance abuse disorder is
  reduced.
• People who begin drinking before the age of 15
  are 4 times more likely to develop alcohol
  dependence at some time in their lives compared
  to those who dont have their first drink before
  the age of 20.

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What is Synthetic Marijuana?

• Synthetic marijuana began being sold in 2004
• It was marketed as a legal high
• In 2011 five different types of synthetic
  marijuana compounds were added as Schedule I
  controlled substances.
• As of 2013 there are now over 400 different
  synthetic marijuana compounds that have been
  identified, and differing widely in chemical
  structure, potency, and receptor activation

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What is Synthetic Marijuana?

• Synthetic marijuana is often sold over the
  internet and in local head shops or gas stations
• Packaging is bright in color with exotic names
• It is sold as potpourri, incense, etc.
• On each of the packages it states not for human
  consumption
• This is to avoid being identified as synthetic
  marijuana

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What is Synthetic Marijuana?

• A man-made substance that mimics the effects of
  marijuana
• Compounds in synthetics act on the same receptors
  as marijuana
• Synthetic marijuana produce effects up to 800
  times stronger than traditional marijuana.

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HOW IS IT MADE?

• The herbs are sprayed with chemicals that mimic
  the psychoactive properties of THC
• Synthetic marijuana substitutes are not produced
  in a controlled environment
• Their purity and dosage are not regulated or
  consistent
• The chemicals in synthetic marijuana are stronger
  and bind more permanently to the receptors in the
  body. The remain longer in the brain and organs
• They do not bind as quickly to receptors in the
  brain and this causes an increase risk of
  overdose due to not feeling the effects as quickly

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HOW DOES SYNTHETIC MARIJUANA AFFECT THE BRAIN?

• It produces an elevated mood
• A feeling of relaxation
• Altered perceptions
• Effects are stronger than marijuana
• Some users report psychotic effects such as
  extreme anxiety, paranoia, and hallucinations
• There have been no scientific studies of how
  synthetic marijuana effects the human brain
• Because of the different chemical compositions it
  is likely that some varieties also contain
  substances that could cause dramatically
  different effects than the user may expect.

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SYMPTOMS OF SYNTHETIC MARIJUANA USE
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What are the Undesired Effects?

• Insomnia
• somatic pain
• nausea
• seizures
• agitation
• vomiting
• internal restlessness
• tremors
• palpitations
• headaches
• death

• perceptual alterations
• illusions
• visual and auditory hallucinations
• paranoia
• aggression
• depersonalization
• dissociation
• anxiety
• depressed moods
• hypertension
• hyperventilation

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Is Synthetic Marijuana a Problem?
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Synthetic Marijuana Use is Increasing
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SYNTHETIC STATISTICS

• There were 2, 874 calls received by U.S. Poison
  Control Centers about synthetic marijuana in
  2010.
• The limited research available indicates that
  synthetic marijuana may have the potential for
  dependence.
• It is estimated that 11, 406 U.S. emergency
  department visits in 2010 involved synthetic
  marijuana and three-fourths of these visits were
  made by patients ages 12-29.
• 59 of ED visits by patients involved synthetic
  marijuana and no other substances. 36 were a
  combination of 2 or more substances.
• Excerpts from Cesar Fax May 9, 2011

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WHY SYNTHETIC MARIJUANA??

• The majority of synthetic marijuana users report
  they use the drug to avoid positive drug tests
• Most users of synthetic marijuana report using it
  as a substitute for marijuana during drug-testing
  periods, and returned to marijuana use once that
  period has ended.
• Synthetic marijuana is particularly dangerous
  because its ingredients are unknown, they have
  not been tested for safety, and their
  ever-changing ingredients can be unusually
  powerful. Users dont know what they are
  getting.
• Excerpts from Cesar FAX January 13, 2014

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Where are synthetics headed and what can be done?

• The trend for synthetics will continue to evolve
  and adapt to current fads, laws and drug screens.
  There is now a cemented culture of synthetic
  drugs and it will continue to maintain itself.
• Providers, schools, communities and families need
  to educate themselves about these new substances
  but keep in mind that it all comes back to
  substance abuse/addiction and the desire to
  experiment and get high. That is not a new
  concept and there are treatment programs
  available.

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Federal Law Involvement

• A Year After Federal Legislation Bans Synthetic
  Drugs, More Than 250 Types Still Sold
• Legislators and law enforcement agencies are
  trying to keep up with drug makers, who are
  continually introducing slight variations of
  their products to keep one step ahead of the
  law. 
•  From January to August 2013, poison control
  centers received 1,821 calls regarding exposures
  to synthetic marijuana.
• synthetic drugs are unregulated, users dont know
  what they are actually getting when they buy the
  products in gas stations or online.

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Synthetic Marijuana and the Law

• As of June 2013 Governor Tom Corbett and the
  Pennsylvania General Assembly enacted a ban on
  all synthetic marijuana compounds.
• The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and
  Cosmetic Act was amended to include all synthetic
  marijuana compounds.
• First offense for delivery or intent to deliver
  are up to five years imprisonment and a 15,000
  fine.
• Possession penalties are up to one year
  imprisonment and a 5,000 fine.
• However, police need to send these substances out
  to be tested, which has led to charging
  individuals with a lesser offense
• Inability to test for substances
• Length of time to get testing back from labs

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Intervention

• Bring awareness of the harmful consequences to
  students and teachers