K2 presentation livonia

Synthetic Drugs:
An Imminent Health Threat

SEMCA Synthetic Drug Forum, June 12, 2012

Mouhanad Hammami, MD
Chief of Health Operations
Acting Health Officer
Department of Health and Human Services
W A Y N E C O U N T Y, MICHIGAN

David M Rozga

•“Apparently, some college students
who were home for the summer told
David and two of his friends about a
legal substance called K2 that is
smoked like marijuana.”
•“It could be easily purchased in
stores and a few of the guys had
purchased some that weekend at a
local mall.”



June 6, 2010

• David smoked K2
with friends.
• Ninety minutes
later, he was dead.



David’s Story As Told by His Dad
•“We are a typical family and as any parent of
teenagers knows, these are not easy times to
raise a family. We’re far from perfect and
thought we had all the conversations families
are supposed to have…sex, drugs, drinking,
texting while driving, you name it.”
•“But, we didn’t talk about what we didn’t know.
It is so important that parents talk to their kids
about the danger of ingesting anything that
isn’t fully known and regulated...legal or not.”



What is a synthetic cannabinoid

• Synthetic cannabinoids are a structurally diverse
class of mostly synthetic substances that bind to
cannabinoid receptors in the brain
• When ingested creates a similar type of high that
naturally occurring cannabinoids (marijuana)
produce



Where Are Cannabinoid Receptors

CB1s are among
the most
abundantly
expressed
neuronal
receptors and are
found throughout
the brain



History
• In 1995, John W. Huffman, Ph.D used a synthetic
compound to conduct research identifying the effects
of on cannabinoids on the brain
• He synthesized JWH-018 in a laboratory at Clemson
University
• Following the publication of his paper people began
spraying the synthetic chemical compound described in
the article on dry herbs and then smoking them as they
would regular marijuana
• In 2004, The brand "Spice" was released and gained
popularity, particularly throughout Europe in 2006


Today

• Sold over the Internet, in smoke and tobacco
shops, convenience stores, and head shops.
• There are literally hundreds of cannabinoids
which have been synthesized and many are
available for sale on the internet



Synthetic Cannabinoid Effects
• nausea, vomiting • dizziness
• drowsiness • panic, hallucinations
• agitation, • agitation,
• dyspnea, • paranoia
• Tachycardia and • anxiety
palpitations • suicidal tendencies
• headache
• hypertension



“In 2010, our centers responded to 3,200 calls
related to synthetic drugs. In 2011, that number
jumped to more than 13,000 calls. Sixty percent
of the cases involved patients 25 and younger.”

Deborah Carr, American Association of Poison Control Centers



Synthetic Cathinones



“When Neil Brown got high on bath salts, he
took his skinning knife and slit his face and
stomach repeatedly. Brown survived, but
authorities say others haven't been so lucky
after snorting, injecting or smoking powders
with such innocuous-sounding names as Ivory
Snow, Red Dove and Vanilla Sky.”

The Washington Post. Web January 23, 2011



Bath Salts
• AKA: Bath Salts, Ivory Wave, Cloud Nine, Bliss,
Tranquility, Blue Silk, Blizzard, Ocean Burst,
Vanilla Sky, etc.
• NOT real bath salts! They are referred to as
novelty items, and are labeled “not for human
consumption” to evade scrutiny.
• Also marketed as bath crystals, plant food, and
herbal incense.
• 2nd generation of bath salts


Bath Salts

• White, tan or brown odorless, powdery
substance.
• Compounds are central nervous stimulants.
• Effects are similar to cocaine or
methamphetamine.
• Sometimes called “fake” cocaine or “fake”
meth.
• Can be snorted, injected, or eaten.



Bath Salts

• MDPV and mephedrone can cause intense cravings and
can lead to binges lasting several days.
• Sold at tobacco shops, convenience stores, gas stations,
head shops, and truck stops among others; and via the
Internet.
• The various brands are sold in 50-milligram to 500-
milligram packets. Prices range from $25 to $50 or
more per 50-milligram packet.
• MDPV and mephedrone are currently Schedule I
Controlled Substances



“The Chinese laboratories where scientists are already at work
on the new ‘meow meow.’”

Mail Online (Newspaper in the UK) Mike Power & Simon Parry. 10-19-11



Physical Effects

• Racing heartbeat
• Extreme elevations of blood pressure
• Sleeplessness
• Loss of appetite, Nausea
• Strange eye movements
• Agitation



Psychological Effects
• Varying but often extreme paranoia
• Abusers running naked with knives trying to “cut out
wires that are in their bodies”
• Shooting themselves, others or inanimate objects/walls
• Delusions, Hallucinations
• Suicidal Tendencies
• Extreme agitation or anxiety, change in personality,
depression, aggression or disturbed behavior, hostility,
violence



Imminent Threat
• Developed for research purposes and have not
been approved by the FDA for human
consumption
• Until a drug is tested, it cannot be considered
safe.
• Being legally sold as a legal alternative to drugs.
• Some of these chemicals are reported to be 66-
800 times more potent than THC (Hot Spots)



“It is like Russian roulette to use
these drugs. We don’t know a darn
thing about them for real.”

John W. Huffman, Ph.D.



What Wayne County is doing

• Health advisory was sent to all Wayne County
health care providers
• Health Emergency Imminent Danger Order
• Drug Overdose Surveillance Task Force
• Public Awareness Campaign
• 24 Hour Hotline - 734-727-7163



Actions You Can Take

• Parents – Talk to your kids
• Report suspicious activity to law enforcement
• Legislatures – Complete ban on point of
purchase/ internet
• Police Officers – submit products to lab for
testing



“When K2 is gone, something else –
maybe even more dangerous – will be
waiting to take its place so it is vital we
talk to our kids.”

David Rozga’s Father



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