Addiction amongst school kids in America today is just as bad as it ever was. Statistics show that the use of illegal drugs is down, but this does not mean that drug use in itself is down. Kids are just using different types of drugs these days. Surprisingly many of these drugs are very easy to obtain and are not illegal. One of the most popular lines of drugs that many people, including teens, are using are called designer drugs. Designer drugs are drugs that are made to mimic the effects of other illegal drugs but are made up of chemicals that are not illegal. Sometimes the chemical structure of these drugs are very similar to their illegal counterparts with just enough alteration to the make-up to prevent them from being illegal, in other cases the chemical make-up in completely different but the effects and feelings that the drug causes are very similar.
Bath Salts or Reformulated Powders
One of the most popular on the designer drug market is a drug that was sold as bath salts or plant food. It is now labeled as reformulated powders and is always labeled “not for human consumption” which prevents many regulations that would otherwise be put on it. There are many brands of “reformulated powders” that one can buy, each one causing a slightly different effect. These drugs are made to imitate the effects of cocaine or methamphetamine or both. Many people who have used them say that the initial feeling that one gets when they first use the drug is very similar to cocaine and it fades into a more meth like feeling later. The effects of the drug usually last for about twenty-four to forty-eight hours. Some people smoke it, which makes its effects last for a much shorter period of time and the effects that it causes in this way are similar to that of crack cocaine in it usually gives the person a body rush.
This drug is not illegal, nor is it detectable on a drug screen. This makes it attractive to drug users who need to pass drug tests on a regular basis. People who fall into this category often have jobs where being high would be dangerous, like air-line pilots or members of the military. Who wants someone to fly to plane that they are on who has been using drugs?
These drugs are extremely addictive and there have been many people who have become quite delusional while using these powders. The reason for this is because when a person uses these powders, it usually prevents them from having the desire to eat or sleep. The human mind is not setup to maintain sanity without proper rest or nutrition. There have been many arrests and cases of people becoming institutionalized while under the influence of these drugs. The police cannot really hold them for any period of time or at least not for drug possession because the drugs that they are using are not illegal. There have also been cases of people overdosing and dying from these drugs as well. There is no way to tell what is actually in these powders and this has proven to be a real problem.
Spice
Another popular designer drug is one that is known as Spice. Spice is sold as herbal incense and is also labeled as not for human consumption. It is an herbal blend that is sprayed with a blend of synthetic cannabinoids. There are many types of cannabinoids and some of them such as THC, cause a person to get high. Most people who smoke Spice say that the effect is very similar to that of marijuana; however there are some folks who have had some really bad reactions from these herbal incenses. Some experts believe that this because there is a chemical in natural marijuana that acts as an anti-psychotic and prevents this type reaction from happening from THC. The synthetic blends do not contain this chemical so the psychoactive effects of the drug have nothing to balance them out and the person can become much higher than they would from natural marijuana. This is up for speculation however, because some of the effects are so drastic. There have been people who have smoked Spice and then felt like they were unable to breathe; they could not get the smoke out of their lungs. Some of them suffered from severe hallucinations and altered vision. Many of them experienced an increased heart beat to the point where they felt like their heart was going to beat right out of their chest. Some of the people found that they were unable to gather their thoughts enough to speak rationally and would repeat the same words over and over and over again. A few people were rushed to the hospital and one mother said that her son had to have his heart restarted several times after smoking Spice.
Drug Education
The program Narconon schools, parents and other authority figures really need to become educated about the dangers of these drugs and all drugs so they are more able to educate our youth. Kids need to hear the true dangers of drugs and what the downsides are before they ever decide to experiment with them. It is especially important for parents to open up a line of communication with their kids about drugs and in way that the child feels that they can come to their parents openly and unafraid with any questions they may have. Kids also need to learn about what type personalities they should surround themselves with so that they never have to suffer from binge drinking influenced by romantic partners. “Show me your friends and I will show you your future,” is a line that comes to mind. It is also shown that they more quality time that parents are able to spend with their kids, the less likely the kids are to start using drugs. These kids were more worried about disappointing their parents than other children who did not have such a close bond with their parents were.
Narconon has many resources of information designed to help parents with this difficult topic. There are many videos and pamphlets available via the net through Narconon websites. Narconon counselors are also available twenty-four hours a day seven days a week ready to answer any questions that parents may have. Most Narconon counselors up to date on all the drugs that people are currently having problems with these days. Please don’t hesitate to call with any questions.
