1. Kerry Herndon, MSW, LAC-E Western Montana Addiction Services Project SUCCESS- Sentinel HS

3. http://edition.cnn.com/2013/02/04/health/synthetic-marijuana-irpt/?hpt=hp_mid  First reported use in the US was in 2009  First seen in Europe in 2004  Synthetic marijuana was linked to 11,406 drug-related emergency department visits in 2010 Year Number of Poison Control Calls 2010 2,906 2011 6,968 2012As of Dec. 31, 2012 5,200  May be harmful heavy metal residues in Spice mixture

4.  1 in 9 high school seniors nationwide have used spice in the last year (2011)  More popular among boys than girls -In 2012, nearly twice as many male 12th graders reported past-year use of synthetic marijuana as females in the same age group.

5.  Advertised as natural and safe  Lack of education about the risks  Less likely to get caught (UA’s)  Sometimes it is easier to access  Suppose to feel like marijuana, but the high comes faster and doesn’t last as long  Creates a relaxed feeling  Advertising! The packaging looks fun.

6.  Has been known to cause death after one use  Extreme anxiety, paranoia and hallucinations  Suicidal thoughts  Vomiting  Agitation and confusion  Seizures  Muscle Spasms/Tremors  Extreme nervousness  Dilated pupils  Headaches/Migraines  Violent tendencies  Slurred speech

7.  Increased heart rate  Elevated blood pressure  Reduced blood supply to the heart (myocardial ischemia)  Associated with heart attacks

8.  Difficult to regulate – tried to make chemicals in Spice illegal, but it is then made with different chemicals and sold.  Says on packaging “not for human consumption”  Different brands use different chemicals and potencies, so it is hard to know how much and what you are taking.  DEA’s story about Wyoming Girl – Kidney Damage

9.  3-5 times more potent than THC in marijuana  Addictive? YES!  Withdrawal similar to that of narcotics.  Long-term effects unknown  MIXING is dangerous!  More drugs found laced with synthetics  Many more “Designer Drugs” being developed, all out have had deaths associated with them.

10.  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/04/l egal-drug-spice-teens_n_871173.html http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/04/l egal-drug-spice-teens_n_871173.html