Recently a popular talk show hosted parents, teens and experts and discussed synthetic drugs.
Synthetic Marijuana
A story was shared about a Texas teen that almost died from using synthetic marijuana (also called K2 or Spice). This teen had a series of strokes and suffered brain damage, paralysis and blindness. She is slowly recovering. Do you want your teen to spend her teen years and beyond recovering and retraining their body to perform normal functions?
The adolescent brain is particularly sensitive to the harmful effects of marijuana. Studies are showing that the brains of teenagers who use marijuana on a consistent basis are not developing normally. Marijuana especially affects the memory area and also IQ.
Synthetic Ecstasy (Molly)
Another popular synthetic drug is called Molly. Teens believe it is a purer form of Ecstasy. A teenager reported that he went to a party and saw some kids and asked them what they were taking. He tried a Molly pill. He said it made him feel really good. He said he wanted to talk to people and share his deepest secrets with fear.
Molly is often referred to as a “club drug” because teens get together at parties called Raves and they feel the music flow through them when using this drug. The meet people and have no inhibitions and feel they form strong bonds.
Molly is very addictive. This teen started taking 3 pills a day. He finally crashed and he said he lost his memory and had a terrible time with jaw clenching. He said his normal bite changed because of the tremendous jaw clenching side effect.
Although Molly is considered purer form of Ecstacy, it is sometimes combined with other synthetic compounds or herbs. Whether pure or combined with something, Molly is a very dangerous drug.
Molly causes damage the first time a teen uses it. It causes long lasting changes in the brain that affect how a person feels, thinks and behaves.
New synthetic (man-made) drugs are emerging all the time. The synthetic drugs are sold as alternatives to marijuana, cocaine, Ecstasy, etc. These synthetic compounds are presented to teenagers as safe and legal. They can be purchased at the local gas station and smoke shops. They are also popular because they do not show up on drug tests.
Think about the medical community. How do they address the side effects of synthetic drugs when they do not even know the content of the compounds used to make the drug? We are talking about man-made chemicals mixed together and sometimes include herbs. It is a dangerous combination.
What can you do?
- Know what your teen is doing
- Know where your teen is
- Know who your teen is with
- Call your teen while he/she is out with friends
- Check their room
- Are they in control of themselves or is another person manipulating your teen
Teens have become quite sophisticated in hiding their drugs. Look in their room. It is your house and you are not invading their privacy when it comes to drugs. Places to look include the lining of jackets, books (they cut pages out and hide the drugs inside), drinking containers, soda cans, batteries, blocks etc.…all can have secret compartments to hide drugs.
Act today. Your teen’s future or life may depend on it.
