Last updated : November 11, 2024
Schools and educational organizations everywhere should be aware of a new threat. Widespread use of so-called synthetic drugs, also referred to as “legal” drugs, are on the rise. According to a recent report issued by the U.N., synthetic drugs are the second most-used drugs in the world – even more popular than heroin or cocaine. Marijuana is at the number one spot. Although many claim these drugs are harmless, they can pose a tremendous risk to those who use them.
Fighting a Growing Drug Problem
The problem with these drugs is the wide variations in ingredients, purity and easy availability. These factors make the chance of a user having a “bad trip” or even dying from a chemical overdose even greater. Marketers legally sell these synthetic drugs labeled as “potpourri” or “bath salts” on retail store shelves, convenience stores, gas stations, tobacco shops and online websites.
Some of these synthetic drugs are several hundred times more powerful than the natural drugs they are designed to mimic. Many people, adults as well as teens, are unaware of these dangers and end up in a hospital ER suffering from sometimes fatal effects of these extremely harmful and powerful drugs.
Many of these drugs are still considered legal in most states, counties and municipalities – at least that is what their manufacturers claim anyway. As the problem continues to grow, federal, state and local legislators are quickly passing new laws to prohibit the sale and/or possession of these synthetic drugs.
Dealing With Synthetic Drugs in Schools
Most school administrators are simply unaware of the synthetic drug problem. Those that are aware would like to test for these drugs but are currently unwilling to press the issue for testing. The problem seems to be that since the synthetic drugs are not technically illegal yet, testing to determine if they are in someone’s system may present a legal problem for schools – but not for long. As of now, there is a federal law making these drugs illegal and many states are following up with their own laws against any new formulations of synthetic drugs.
According to Lisa Kubota reporting for Hawaii News Now, drug testing in the workplace is currently lacking. She stated that in the workplace “policies need to be developed for lab procedures and cutoff levels, especially with the threat of potential lawsuits from employees.” While that may be the case now, it won’t be long before these drugs are illegal everywhere – including schools. As these drugs become more of an issue for schools, the need for testing to detect these harmful substances becomes more and more critical for employers.
Schools Should Expand Policies to Include Testing for Synthetic Substances
Any person under the influence of these substances may be endangering their own safety and exposing others to danger as well. Users may snort, smoke, or inject these substances to get a high similar to traditional illegal drugs. Some of these highly addictive substances contain potent psychoactive chemicals or other dangerous compounds which may severely impair a person’s judgment or adversely affect behavior. Reports of hallucinations, self-mutilations, vehicle crashes, suicides and homicides are all associated with these substances.
School drug and alcohol testing policies should be immediately updated and include specific language that prohibits the use of synthetic drugs or other similar substances. Through revised policies, students should also be made aware of the health risks and legal consequences of using or possessing synthetic drugs. Policies that include testing for these synthetic compounds are more important than ever, especially in educational environments.
These synthetic drugs are currently not detectable on standard drug test panels like those required by schools, educational facilities, Federal employees and the Department or Transportation. Many people are using synthetic drugs to avoid detection of the more traditional substances found in typical drug test panels.
The two most common synthetic drugs in wide use today are Spice (also known as K2) and Bath Salts.
K2/Spice
These substances are known as cannabinoids, chemical substances that mimic the effects of THC, the active ingredient in marijuana. Typically sold in a packet of herbs that have been coated with the synthetic compounds, users will roll and smoke these herbs to get a high similar to smoking pot. This synthetic marijuana is also known as Head Trip, White Rabbit, Red Dragon, Serenity or Kaotic.
Bath Salts
These synthetic drugs may cause elevated blood pressure, increased heart rate, hallucinations, anxiety, paranoia, chest pains, and other health problems. Other names for these drugs are White Rush, Hurricane Charlie, White Lightning, Cloud 9 or Ivory Wave.
