There is no denying that parents today need to be especially vigilant in making sure their kids are not using drugs or alcohol. Following the trends in teen drug use and abuse is one way for parents to recognize the dangers teens face each day, especially when school starts and new friends and pressures begin showing up. Below are three drug trends (bath salts, steroids, inhalants) that are sometimes erroneously thought to be less harmless than others.
For those of you unaware of them, bath salts, not the cosmetic variety but illegal designer street drugs, are now being used as a type of drug when they are laced with synthetic stimulants. Because these drugs are relatively new, and for now, unregulated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), scientists are not exactly sure of the ingredients in each brand. Chemicals in bath salts mimic the effects of amphetamines, such as racing heart, increased blood pressure, increased body temperature and seizures. As reported in www.lcsun-news.com.
It is too early to tell what the exact short-and long-term effects from abusing bath salts are, but effects can include extreme paranoia, hallucinations, suicidal thoughts, chest pains, soaring blood pressure and rapid heartbeat.
I would recommend that each parent take a level 2 online drug class with their child. This will help educate both parents and kids as to the true dangers of using bath salts.