Recently many of the synthetic drugs are being abused by the younger generation, in many situations multiple drugs are being abused. Many of these synthetic drugs are unfortunately available for online purchase, and it’s making the control of this trade a difficult challenge for the law enforcement. Many or most of these drugs have not been detected by the usual drug screening kits available in the hospitals.
It’s important that parents, caregivers, and family members identify the early symptoms of behavioral changes in abusers, and seek a professional help immediately to avoid permanent damage and mortality.
Synthetic Cathinones-(Bath Salts): A chemical composition similar to a plant called Khat found in Africa. Their use is associated with bizarre, homicidal, and suicidal behavior, can lead to paranoia and hallucinations. They can get violent and self destructive and agitated, it may cause insomnia, irritable mood, panic attacks, racing mind, trouble with concentration, dysphoria, delusions etc… Many of these individuals may suffer liver and kidney failure and seizures.
These chemicals, bath salts, can also be called or sold as: Bliss, Drone, Vanilla Sky, Ivory, Ocean, Eight Ball, White Girl, White Dove etc.. These drugs may be snorted, smoked, swallowed or injected.
Spice/ K2: These synthetic cannabinoids are used by young adult men who view it as a safer, less detectable alternative to other illicit drugs. Synthetic Cannabinoids have nothing in common with the chemical composition of marijuana, but can give similar effects and are 3-4 times more stronger than the usual marijuana smoking. The effects may include agitation, fast heartbeat, confusion, dizziness and nausea. Other names under which it may be sold are K2, fake weed, Yucatan Fire, Skunk, Moon Rocks, King Kong, Spice, K3 legal, Diesel, Cloud 9 and many other names.
Ketamine: Also known as animal tranquilizer. It causes agitation, sedation, abnormal sleep patterns, dissociation and hallucinations. It may be used as a pill, liquid for injection, or sniffed. This drug is chemically similar to PCP, which may cause severe psychosis and dissociation etc. Sometimes the liquid drug can be added to the soda or other drinks. Again the use of this drug is common in young adults.
Other names include: Ketaved, Ketaset, Vetamine, Vetalar, Vitamin K, Special K, Kitty, Super K, Kit Kat, Jet, K, Lady K, Super acid, Cat Valium
Ecstasy (MDMA): It is in extensive use at concerts, music festivals, nightclubs and dance clubs. It creates a heightened perception of music and light, increases the sensitiveness to touch, paranoia, fever, dehydration from over exertion, panic attacks, jaw spasm and teeth grinding. Available in a pill form mostly.
Smiles: A new form of Phenethylamine came into the illicit drug market in 2012 and does lead to visual and auditory hallucinations and it also caused multiple deaths. It is also known as 2C-1.
As there are multiple drugs and many new ones being manufactured in China, India and Pakistan etc.. and sold, every few days, it is impossible to provide a complete list of synthetics drugs.