Emergency doctors warn against alarming rise in synthetic drug use
Warning: Alarming rise in synthetic drugs
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Posted: 02/08/2012
WASHINGTON - The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) is asking lawmakers to address the dangers of synthetic drugs.
All over the country, ER docs are seeing an alarming increase in patients being treated for synthetic (or chemically enhanced) drug use.
In 2010, the ACEP says there were 2,900 calls to poison control centers regarding synthetic marijuana. In the first 8 months of 2011, that number nearly doubled.
Synthetic drugs contain chemicals that imitate the hallucinogenic or stimulant properties of marijuana, cocaine, and other drugs.
One major concern is called "bath salts," which have nothing to do with real bath products. In the first 8 months of 2011, there were more than 4,700 calls about bath salts. Users have reported impaired motor control, extreme paranoia, and violent episodes.
Copyright 2012 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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