As scary as it sounds, our nation’s middle schoolers are in great need of drug classes. Kids are becoming exposed more regularly to more drugs than ever before. I certainly recall a few of my middle school friends trying marijuana with maybe 25% experimenting with alcohol.
Things have changed. Now marijuana is prevalent in middle school with harder drugs like cocaine, crystal meth and designer drugs like bath salts and Night Lights.
Night Lights
Middle Scholars’ knowledge of the synthetic drugs is surprising to law enforcement officers. When speaking to middle school classes about a drug called “Night Lights”, everyone knows what he's talking about - except the teacher.
This is a critical issue. There are very few adults and parents familiar with the synthetic drugs on the market. Do you know what Night Lights are? They are red capsules filled with a white powder that mimics the psychedelic designer drug ecstasy.
Real Story
Late last month, two men were charged with ingesting synthetic drugs after one of them went on a drug-induced rampage with his car in the Cabela's parking lot after smoking synthetic marijuana. He damaged several vehicles and the outside of the store. The driver in the Cabela's incident told him that ingesting the synthetic compound was a "nightmarish" experience.
Kids call these ‘fake drugs,' so that makes them think it's not as dangerous as real marijuana because it's fake.
Synthetic drugs available in this area generally fall into two categories: synthetic cannabis and synthetic cathinones, which is a manmade version of the outlawed khat plant.
Why They Can be Purchased Legally
Drug makers can quickly alter the chemical nature of any synthetic drug they design; changing it just enough to make sure it is not defined by an existing statute. That's why convenience stores, smoke shops and head shops still are able to legally sell synthetic products that are packaged and promoted as substitutes for marijuana, amphetamines, cocaine and other illegal drugs.
Makers of the synthetic products also circumvent federal laws by marketing them as products that are typically not intended for human consumption: bath salts, potpourri, incense, foot powder or jewelry cleaner, among other things.
The FDA needs to step in here. Don’t you think?
Even Night Light pills, which can sell for $14.99 each, will include the wording, "Not intended for human consumption," right below an enthusiastic description of the altered state of consciousness the product will induce.
Unfortunately, users have no way of knowing exactly what they are swallowing or smoking. There are at least 200 different forms of synthetic marijuana.
This reads like fiction. How can the government allow these synthetic drugs to exist? I have never been one for looking to the government for assistance. Parents and educators need to get on the ball. More drug classes are needed. These drug classes are necessary for both kids and parents.
Read more: http://rapidcityjournal.com