“According to the American Association of Poison Control Centers, calls to poison control centers for the first seven months of the year (2011) in reference to exposure to “bath salts” (synthetic methcathinone) alone have increased from 303 cases in 2010 to 4,137 in 2011, an increase of more than 1,300 percent.”

So what are these “bath salts” you ask? Packaging labels on such products typically references/label them as “Plant food”, “Incense Enhancer”, “Potpourri”, “Spiritual Powder”, “Bath Powder”, and “Bath Salts”. No matter what the label reads, they are synthetic methcathinone. These synthetic drugs are often disbursed in powered form or a tablet/capsule. Abusers typically ingest, inhale, inject, smoke or snort the drug. Some abusers even dissolve the drug in water, making eye drops to experience stimulant effects similar to those induced by amphetamines. The effect of the substance is usually experienced for 2-3 hours, with the exception of intravenous injection which last for 10-30 minutes. Side effects of methcathinones include hallucinations, suicidal ideation, violence, seizures, increased heart rate, high blood pressure, increased body temperature and death.

Synthetic cannabinoids are synthetic chemicals that are functionally similar to THC, the main chemical component in marijuana. However, synthetic cannabinoids can be 100 to 800 times more potent than THC. Law enforcement agents in Tennessee have already identified over 200 marketed synthetic cannabinoids products in Tennessee alone.

• Do you find yourself getting overwhelmed by all of the new synthetic drugs that you are hearing about these days?
• Do you wonder what these synthetic drugs are and what affects they are having on the families that you service?
• Do you know that anyone can purchase these synthetic drugs at convenience stores, gas stations, adult novelty shops, or online for as little as $5.00?
• Did you know that these packages are generally marketed to target teenagers and young adult populations? Do you know what the packages look like?

To learn more about synthetic drugs and find out answers to the questions/concerns listed above, view a free hour and a half webinar by The National Alliance for Drug Endangered Children at the following link An Overview of Bath Salts and Other Synthetic Drugs from Law Enforcement and Medical Perspectives

The National Alliance for Drug Endangered Children is an excellent resource for children’s protective services workers, foster care workers and adoption workers. The National Alliance for Drug Endangered Children manages a resource link specifically for policy makers, law enforcement, health care professionals, and services workers.

In addition to being a great online resource The National Alliance for Drug Endangered Children offers free webinars on a monthly basis. These webinars are developed and trained by professionals in the field with first-hand knowledge and speak directly to the front line workers.

http://www.nationaldec.org/training/trainingdownloads.html