Synthetic Drugs
Amy Steinberg
Paralegal Intern for the Public Defender’s office.
*legal information subject to change
Current as of March, 2011
Thank You for Coming Today….

This presentation is the product of an internship program supported by
the Winona County CJCC, the Public Defender’s Office, and the Law
Office of Carmaine Sturino. The primary objective of Intern Amy
Steinberg’s semester was to work with our Juvenile Caseload. In a very
short amount of time, it was apparent that we have a significant
problem with synthetic drugs in our community. Amy has a paralegal
degree, not a medical or law enforcement background. Therefore, it is
not our objective to be the “expert” on this matter, but rather to start
the conversation within our community with the ultimate goal being to
educate those around us. The rate of use and side effects concerning
these drugs are alarming, and its affecting both our juvenile and adult
populations; this is certainly a public health crisis in our eyes. The
information you are about to learn changes frequently and the
examples continue to accumulate; if you wish to see changes or
additions to the presentation, please contact us at your convenience.
Our Goal: Education
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Health Crisis First, then Criminal Matter
No Medical Background
Not a Drug Recognition Expert
This is an accumulation of information designed to
help inform the community of what our population is
being exposed to.
We hope that by education we can better
understand the issue.
Intoxicating vs. Mood Altering
Substances
Intoxicating

Intoxication: a
diminished ability to
act with full mental
and physical
capabilities because
of alcohol or drug
consumption
Mood Altering


Mood Altering:
capable of changing
one’s emotional state
Lots of things affect
your mood such as:
 Colors
 Food
 Memories
K2 or “Spice” Synthetic Marijuana
K2 “Spice”

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What is it?
Mixture of herbal and spice
plant, sold as potpourri
Sprayed with potent
psychotropic drugs, the most
active JWH-018 & JWH-073
Created for experimental use
in animals and cell culturesnot humans
Compare:

Marijuana in ’70-’80’s = 7-10% THC

Marijuana recently = 45-65% THC

K2 is equivalent to 100% THC

Side Effects?

Severe agitation and vomiting

Heart rate and blood
pressure raises to dangerous
rates

Hallucinations

Tremors or seizures

In extreme cases it causes
blackouts or catalepsy- a
nervous condition causing fix
body posture.
On the Streets
Street Names…
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Bliss
Black Mamba
Bombay
Fake Weed
Genie
Spice
Zohai
What Kids Do…

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K2 can be smoked in a
joint, blunt, or pipes
It can also be brewed
as a tea
K2: Affects your Brain



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The chemicals used bind tighter to the body’s
cannabinoid receptors better than THC does,
allowing the chemicals to fully activate these
receptors.
The use of K2 “hijacks” the part of the brain
important for temperature control, food intake,
perception, memory, problem solving and the
receptor that regulates your immune system.
K2 effects hormone functions.
K2 smokers exhibit typical drug dependency signs,
withdrawal symptoms, and addictive behaviors.
Is K2 “Spice” Legal?

The DEA has made it a crime to possess
or sell the chemicals used in K2 for 1
year starting March 1, 2011
 Federal

Enforcement Only
States that already made it illegal:
North Dakota, Alabama, Georgia,
Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, and
Missouri
K2 Effects


There was an incident of a youth in Missouri who
was hospitalized after using K2. The youth claimed
he could see his heart beat out of his chest.
According to Jeremiah Morris, a forensic scientist for
the Johnson County Criminalistics Laboratory in
Missouri, you do not need to smoke excessively to
experience potentially harmful effects of K2.
Can we Test for it?
YES!
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Medtox
Test # 19116
Urine Test
Tests for JWH-018 & JWH-073
The test can detect recent use, within
about the last 72 hours
LOCAL ISSUE FOR NEW OFFENSES: It
costs $45 for our DOC to test for K2,
which is cost prohibitive; combined with
it being legal leads to DOC not testing
for it in most cases.
Local Reports
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Juvenile-1, age 16, suffered a seizure after using
K2. The combination of his medications and K2
caused too much stress on his heart.
Juvenile-2 was lost in the neighborhood that she
grew up in for 2 hours after smoking K2.
Juvenile-3 suffered elevated heart rate and has
been hospitalized due to this reaction.
Results of K2 Use
Poison Control Reports Nation
Wide
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American Association of
Poison Control Centers has
said that as of Sept 27,
2010 more than 1,503
calls have been made to
poison centers for
symptoms such as racing
heart beat, elevated
blood pressure, and
nausea.
Compared to 14 in 2009
Judge Gunn’s Solution

One judge makes it a
requirement for her
juveniles to sign a
contract to not use K2
while on her drug
programs. If they are
caught using it they
are kicked out.
K3…. What is it?


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K3 is similar to K2 but includes a
main ingredient that K2 does not, Damiana.
K3 is not as commonly sold as K2 and seems to be
harder for users to find.
It is also sold as incense, not intended for human
consumption, under creative names such as: Kush
Strawberry, Winter Mint, Dark Cocoa, and Fruity
Pebbles.
Damiana
What Is It?

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Wild Shrub
Grows in Mexico,
Central America, West
Indies
Historically used as an
aphrodisiac
Sprayed with JWH-018,
along with it’s own
potency creates a more
intense high than K2
Side Effects

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Convulsions
Symptoms similar to
rabies or strychnine
poisoning after taking
200+ grams
May affect diabetics by
lowering blood sugar,
especially when taken in
conjunction with diabetic
medications
Happy Shaman Herbs
To learn more
you can visit
their website
at
www.happysh
aman.com
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Happy Shaman is a distributer of herbs
and plants for cultural, religious, and
medical purposes.
They claim to monitor who buys the
products and for what purposes, if they
believe anyone is under 18 or is using the
products for non-approved purposes they
will refuse to sell to you.
Happy Shaman labels their products “not
for human consumption.”
Happy Shaman is sold in the Royal
Tobacco Shop here in Winona.
Why is it still Legal?

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Happy Shaman blends are made up of Calea
Zacatechichi, Valerian Seeds, and African Dream
Plants (Silene Capensis and Entada Rheedii).
These herbs are known to give euphoric experiences
when ingested, and cause vivid dreams. Some of
the herbs are used for treatment of insomnia,
epilepsy, muscle relaxers, mood stabilizer, and
anxiety.
Since these herbs are not sprayed with the synthetic
chemical K2 is, these products are not effected by
the federal ban.
Salvia Divinorum
Salvia Divinorum
What Is It?


It’s a perennial herb in
the mint family,
according to the DEA.
Hallucinogenic
properties like LSD or
mushrooms, but only
lasts for a short period
of time.
Side Effects?

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Potentially addictive
physically and
psychologically
Dizziness, lack of
coordination
Slurred speech
Experts are still studying
the cardiovascular
effects
No… It’s Not Your Garden Plant


Salvia (Sage) is a common perennial herb that
grows throughout the world and is considered a
common garden plant. Most forms of salvia can be
found in plant nurseries. They are not hallucinogenic
and will only give users a headache if smoked.
Salvia Divinorum is one of hundreds of species of
Salvia. This is the species that causes hallucinogenic
effects.
On the Streets
Street Names
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There wasn’t a great
need for kids to create
a street name for
Salvia
A couple are: Sally-D,
Magic Mint, Sage of
the Series
What Kids Do…
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Chewed
Smoked in joints or
pipes
Brewed as tea
Is Salvia Legal?

Minn. Stat. § 152.027 sub. 5
 (a)
Anyone who unlawfully sells salvia is
guilty of a gross misdemeanor
 (b) Anyone who unlawfully possesses it is
guilty of a misdemeanor.

According to the National Conference
of State Legislatures, at least 21 states
have passed laws regulating or
controlling the substance since 2006.
Can we Test for it?
YES!

Medtox
Test # 2790
Urine Test
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Detected no more than a few days

Tests for:

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Salvinorin A (primary active ingredient)
 Salvinorin B (main metabolite in salvinorin A)

Psychiatric Dangers

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Those who currently or
have suffered from
mental illness can
experience a relapse or
induce psychosis
Can trigger panic
attacks, schizophrenia
relapses and borderline
personality traits

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Symptoms: suicidal
thoughts, depression,
antisocial acts, fighting,
anger, and
uncontrollable crying
Most symptoms subside
after Salvia effects
wear off
Can trigger relapse due
to certain memories or
parts of the brain being
stimulated by Salvia
Mephedrone
4-methylmethcathinone
Mephedrone (Plant Food)
What Is It?

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It was created as an
experimental drug, not
intended for human
consumption.
It is mostly sold under the
label of plant food or bath
salts to be able to be sold
legally
It is a white, off-white or
yellowish powder
Mephedrone is a stimulant,
creating similar experiences
to ecstasy or cocaine
Side Effects?

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Extremely sore nasal
passages, throats and
mouths, with burns or cuts
caused by the chemicals
Heart palpitations,
irregular or racing
heartbeat
Blurred vision, hot flushes,
muscle tension in the jaw
or face
Some report their
extremities taking on a
bluish pallor
On the Streets
Street Names
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Meph, Drone
MCAT, 4MMC, 4MMCAT
Sunshine
Stardust
Blue Silk
Ivory Wave
Bounce
Bolivian Bath
Bubbles
What kids do…
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Snort
Intravenously inject
Mix with food or drink
Capsules- “bombing”
or “parachuting”wrap dose in paper or
empty gelatin capsules
and swallow it
Mephedrone: Affect on the Brain

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It’s an amphetamine-like drug, which can lead to
dizziness, headaches, seizures, or stroke
Bleeding in the brain: vasopasm (abnormal
constriction of blood vessels) or vasculitis
(inflammation of blood vessels in the brain)
Most of the above symptoms are associated with
large doses and sustained use, but can occur with
small doses as well.
Is Mephedrone Legal?
In the US mephedrone is still a new phenomenon
and has not been dealt with legally yet. The DEA is
looking into it.
Louisiana and Florida have placed emergency
bans on manufacturing, possessing, and
distributing.
Mephedrone was very popular in Europe.
Recently, the EU banned mephedrone in 27
nations.
Local Stories
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17 year boy has taken plant food multiple times.
Each time he claims his heart races, he feels “weird”
sensations, everything slows, he blacks out, can’t
walk, and said it “feels like your dying.”
A young woman was sent to detox due to an 8 day
plant food “binger.” She apparently ate 1 Big Mac
in those 8 days with no sleep. She was suffering
suicidal/homicidal thoughts and chest pain. She also
was breaking out in what looked like chicken pox or
hives.
A known meth addict had said they tried plant food
and would rather have meth because it was so bad.
Can we Test for it?
YES!
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Medtox
Test # 2786
Urine Test
LOCAL ISSUE FOR NEW OFFENSES:
When our DOC performs a UA test,
sometimes mephedrone users come back
positive for cocaine or negative for all
substances; when these positive for
cocaine tests are sent to the BCA the
results are positive for mephedrone,
which is legal.
Hallucinating on Mephedrone
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Kentucky. A mother was found parked on a median
on a major highway. She was found with her eldest
son, Caleb, while her youngest son, Jeremiah (2
yrs.), was found passed out in the passing lane.
Caleb claimed his mother believed Jeremiah was a
demon and hit him with a folding chair.
She then pulled the car over because she believed
there was a bomb in the car, despite Caleb’s
arguments.
Mephedrone in Louisiana
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Neil Brown was using bath salts to get high.
He began to hallucinate and started to slit his face
and stomach repeatedly with his skinning knife.
Neil Brown survived.
Police reports indicate that an officer was recently
injured due to two individuals who fought him
thinking he was the devil.
Due to the above incident and a report of 125+
calls to Poison Control in 3 months, Louisiana has
banned Mephedrone.
Methylenedioxypyrovalerone or MDPV
MDPV (Bath Salts)
What Is It?

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Stimulant
Marketed as bath salts,
but does not function as
such
In the same family as
meth and MDMA, both
regulated drugs by the
DEA
Increases alertness,
euphoria, and sensory
awareness
Side Effects

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Hypertension,
vasoconstriction, insomnia
Nausea, stomach cramps,
bruxism
High body temp., chills,
sweating, pupil dilation
Headaches, kidney pain,
tinnitus, dizziness,
overstimulation, breathing
difficulty, agitation
High dosage can cause
intense, prolonged panic
attacks
MDPV on the Streets
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
Street names include: MDPK, Magic, Super Coke,
PV, Cloud 9, Ivory Wave, Ocean, Charge Plus,
White Lightening, Searface, Hurricane Charlie,
Vannella Sky, Bonzai Grow, Blue Silk, Serenity Now,
Lovey Dovey, Euphoria, Aura, Red & White Dove.
MDPV is taken very similar to mephedrone. It can
be snorted, injected, or mixed with food/drink.
Is MDPV Illegal?

Currently MDPV is legal. The DEA has
not considered it to be an analog drug
to MDMA (commonly found in ecstasy).
So people under the influence, or in
possession of MDPV cannot be
prosecuted under the Federal Analog
Act of the Controlled Substances Act,
yet.
Can we Test for it?
YES!




Medtox
Test #2790
Urine Test
Same test used for Mephedrone
Poison Control Reports
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In 2010, there were 292 calls about MDPV
products according to the American Association of
Poison Control Centers’ National Poison Data
Systems.
As of February 14, 2011 poison centers reported
469 calls.
That’s nearly twice as many calls in 6 weeks
compared to all of last year!
2C-E
2C-E
What Is It?

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Part of the 2C
psychedelic family
Works as a central
nervous system stimulant
Effects can last from 510 hours, and stay in
your system for 24 hours
Developed by Dr.
Alexander Shulgin
PiHKAL: Phenethylamines
I Have Known and
Loved, By A. Shulgin
Street Names
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Europa
Tucy
2C-E is still relatively
new and is not
distinguished with
many street names
Effects of 2C-E

How do they take it?
 Orally,
snorted (associated with pain), or rectally
 Reports of intravenous injection but it is dangerous to
do yourself, since you usually start hallucinating before
the plunger is empty

Side effects: increased heart rate and body temp.,
change in perception of time, difficulty focusing,
restlessness, muscle tension and aching, increased
perspiration, gastrointestinal discomfort, nausea,
vomiting, dizziness, confusion, over awareness and
over stimulation to music, paranoia, and unwanted
life-changing spiritual experiences
2C-E use can cause death


Klobuchar has moved to make 2C-E a Schedule I
Controlled Substance since the death of 1 and the
hospitalization of 10 others.
Blaine, MN on March 17, 2011, the police were
called to a medical situation involving an alleged
overdose of synthetic drugs when they discovered
11 kids who were showing signs of overdosing on
2C-E. A 19-year-old died in
the hospital and the other 10
were treated.
Is There Treatment Available?


Securing treatment for clients that use
these substances is very difficult.
Insurance companies do not recognize
the use of legal substances as a
problem, so many of the treatment
facilities will not hold them.
Therefore, these clients are going
untreated. They are resorting to
continued use and having to cope with
the side effects.
Contact Information
In case there are any questions....
 Email: asteinberg08@winona.edu
 Work Phone: 507/474-6440

THANK YOU!
References
http://www.justice.gov/dea/pubs/abuse/k2.html
http://minnesota.publicradio.org/displa/web/2010/08/30/synthetic-marijuana/
http://www.plamerican.com/news/police/days-are-numbered-fake-pot-112
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/hinfo/sessiondaily.asp?storyid=2464
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/07/10/eveningnews/main6666078.shtml
http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/health-drugs.7fl
http://www.cbsatlanta.com/news/26678936/detail.html
http://leg.state.mn.us
http://webmd.com/mental-health/news/k2-spice-gold-herbal-incense-faq?page=2
http://webmd.com/parentingfeatures/salvia=faq?page=2
http://webmd.boots.com/mental-health/news/20100416/mephedrone-banned-and-made-classb-drug
http://www.colmbiamissourian.com/stories/2010/02/17/legal-substance-mimic-marijuana-hasharmful-effects/
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42008287/
http://www.wusa9.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=132555&provider=top/
http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2010/12/26/some-minnesota-schools-target-synthetic-marijuana/
http://5newsonline.com/news/kfsm-news-nwa-spice-k2-judge-gunn-drugsincense,0,7363468.story
http://livingstrong.com/
http://wikipedia.org/
http://www.dictionary.com/
http://www.westlaw.com/
http://www.medtox.com/services_cjdars_criminaljusticerehabservices.aspx