Protecting Floridians from Synthetic Drugs

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What are synthetic drugs?

Dangerous synthetic drugs are marketed as “incense,” “potpourri,” “K2,” “spice,” and “bath salts.” The National Institute of Drug Abuse has noted that when individuals take synthetic drugs they are hijacking that key part of the brain controlling critical functions such as temperature control, food intake, perception, memory and problem solving. These drugs are being marketed to our youth and are sold under names like “Scooby Snax,” “½ Baked Hulk,” and “Purple Flake.”

According to the Drug Abuse Warning Network report, more than 11,000 emergency room visits nationwide involved a synthetic cannabinoid product in 2010. Alarmingly, 75 percent of these visits were from people ranging in age from 12-29. The majority of those people were between 12-17.

Parents should talk to their children about how dangerous these drugs are. If anyone suspects that synthetic drugs are being sold, they should contact their local law enforcement agencies.

"We will do everything within our power to protect Floridians from the growing threat of synthetic drug abuse," - Attorney General Pam Bondi

Florida’s Response

In 2011, within weeks of taking office, Attorney General Pam Bondi signed an executive order that temporarily outlawed MDPV, commonly known as "bath salts." The folllowing Legislative session Attorney General Bondi worked closely with the Florida Legislature to add cathinones, commonly known as “bath salts,” and cannabinoids, commonly known as “K2” or “Spice”, to the schedule of controlled substances. Attorney General Bondi continues her efforts to keep synthetic drugs off of store shelves and add any emerging synthetic compounds to the schedule of controlled substances.

Attorney General Bondi has worked with state lawmakers to outlaw 136 individual chemical compounds since taking office. In 2016, she helped pass comprehensive legislation that categorically outlaws synthetic drugs in Florida.

Read Attorney General Bondi’s 2016 op-ed warning Floridians about the dangers of synthetic drugs: Attorney General Pam Bondi Warns Parents and Kids About Synthetic Drugs.

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Fighting Synthetic Drugs

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