Synthetic Drugs free essay sample

Designer drugs such as synthetic marijuana and bath salts are becoming popular in the United States by abusers. These particular drugs are chemically produced by man giving similar effects of illegal drugs. The use of these drugs is being looked upon as harmless recreation. Not long ago synthetic marijuana could be purchased at most United States convenience stores. They could be bought via internet or even nearby head shops. Synthetic marijuana has been used in â€Å"hookah bars† for the effects of marijuana. Users believe most designer drugs are legal and getting arrested for possessing legal drugs are unlikely. Although most ingredients are banned in the U. S. , usage is still increasing which is giving negative side effects that people are unaware of. Many people think of Epsom salts as being used to relax in a warm bath when the term â€Å"bath salts† is used. When compared these two have nothing in common. We will write a custom essay sample on Synthetic Drugs or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Epsom salts are used for relaxation while the synthetic drug bath salts are used for cocaine like effects. Bath salts are often used in combination with other recreational substances. † (Fire) With the use of these recreational drugs, the affects can be intensified greatly. People don’t realize but this can cause even more harm. People don’t know what is exactly in this man made drugs, adding another toxin can be deadly. Packaged in clear plastic bags or foil and labeled â€Å"not for human consumption†, bath salts were being sold in local stores. Typically it is snorted but can be injected, smoked or even eaten. The most extreme abusers go as far as using them as eye drops. People have experienced feelings of arousal, sociability, increased mental focus, and stimulation in physical energy. Many have hallucinated and done irrational things as well. In most recent news, a man who was high off bath salts attacked a homeless man and began eating his face while naked In the middle of the road. Most people don’t know but when using bath salts confusion, depression, and anxiety also set in along with the hallucinations. Another common synthetic drug being used in the U. S. today is synthetic marijuana. Synthetic marijuana is a new designer drug derived from hybrid herbal/chemical products that stimulate the effects of THC. † (McGuinness) Just like bath salts, this product is not intended for human consumption. Synthetic marijuana comes in a form of dried leaves, these leaves are actually intended to be used as incents. Many people roll it like a joint or use pipes to smoke it. More common names used for synthetic marijuana is K-2, Spice, Genie, an d Skunk. Up until recently you could buy this product in many local gas stations and cigarette outlets. Synthetic marijuana is said to make you feel like you are high off of real marijuana. Many times people are reporting that they have hallucinated, got very paranoid and increased heart rates while smoking this. An 18 year old college freshman tried it and said â€Å"I thought everyone was out to get me and I was afraid. My heart was racing; I thought I was going to have a heart attack. † (McGuinness) This drug is also undetectable in urine tests so it is very popular for people who would like to smoke the real stuff but cannot due to drug testing in either jobs or for legal reasons. Recently synthetic marijuana has been banned. Bath salts and synthetic marijuana have recently been banned in the United States. The products themselves have not been banned for sale in the U. S. , but the ingredients in them have been banned. The only way for the FDA to regulate these types of drugs were to ban the ingredients that are used to create them because they are marketed and labeled not for consumption. They are not able to legally go after the manufacturer because there is no proof that they are making these products with the intentions that they are being used for. President Obama signed into law the FDA Safety and Innovation Act, which contains a provision that makes synthetic drugs like synthetic marijuana and bath salts controlled substance and therefore illegal to sell on store shelves. † (McGuinnes) Obama has made it illegal to sell these products because of the high activity and misuse of these products. Many teenagers were ending up hospitalized or dead due to these synthetic drugs, causing a mini epidemic. If these drugs were still easily available to teens, these rates would have been much higher. These synthetic drugs are drawing a younger crowd and have a negative effect on them. Whether they are doing bath salts or smoking synthetic marijuana or even both, they are putting themselves and others in jeopardy. With high regulations the government was able to put an end to the access to these drugs. When it’s a lot harder to find something, people will have no other option but to quit. Even though most of the ingredients have been banned, we cannot control everything that comes onto the market.