Current Event

Thus far, it has been discussed that the DEA and FDA regulate drugs based on the drug’s potential for abuse, accepted medical use, and the overall safety of using the drug. Methamphetamine and cocaine are both Schedule II drugs. This is relative to past course material as we are now aware that this particular schedule of drugs has some accepted medical use, with a high potential for abuse and potentially a severe amount of dependence. New drugs are constantly being introduced, sometimes that combine multiple different drug qualities. For example, Molly is said to be the purest form of Ecstasy, but it is often found cut with a range of dangerous drugs, ranging from cocaine to bath salt. The bottom line is that when you buy drugs, there can never be certainty without a doubt concerning what you’re actually taking. That’s why the newest drug introduced to the streets of South Florida is getting the attention that it is.

Going by the street name of Flakka, it’s basically a mixture of meth and bath salts, although a different conflicting article describes Flakka as a combination of cocaine and meth. Created in labs overseas in a process similar to that of crystal meth, Flakka is then shipped around the world to be sold. One of the serious concerns as it’s being introduced to the streets are the negative and often violent side effects associated with it, which negatively impact society and can include paranoia, psychosis, hallucinations, heart problems, anxiety, and extreme violence (“Flakka—A New Designer Drug”, 2015). According to WPBF News, a local news channel out of West Palm Beach, a man was arrested in Boca Raton, Florida after robbing a woman at an ATM and stealing her SUV. Duaine Knisely, while severely intoxicated, claimed that he had been under the influence of Flakka for most of the week and committed a series of similar acts (2015). This raises the question of how dangerous and addicting is this new drug.

I think more importantly than the effects of Flakka are the variety of ways that it can be consumed, most notably with the ease of e-cigarettes and vapes, along with smoking, injection, or snorting. I was reading a forum a while back that talked about how someone got a joint laced with what was said to be Molly but turned out to be Flakka. The user described the feeling as different, but not bad. Vaping and e-cigarettes have become a new trend, although as we have discussed in class, they were originally designed as an outlet to help people stop smoking. Currently though, it is argued that e-cigarettes are being used by non-smokers and can still be considered a gateway to other drugs. However, since they are legal in most settings as of now, e-cigarettes provide an easy way for people to hide amongst the crowd while using more serious drugs such as marijuana or in this case, Flakka (“Flakka—A New Designer Drug”, 2015). 

The introduction or use of any drug has an impact on society, whether it be good or bad. I think the introduction of Flakka is relevant as it is arguably the newest version of crystal meth on the market. Once there is evidence of production in the United States, the impact on society will continue to expand. What I think is important to realize is that while the immediate side effects of Flakka are alarming, we are uncertain about the long-term side effects, thereby adding to the level of danger. People get hooked on a drug and unlike those that have been vigorously studied, Flakka is currently uncharted territory. Despite any monetary costs to society, there are also personal costs to society that come in the form of physical damage and addiction. Just like with any new drug, Flakka doesn’t come without a cost.

References

Flakka - A New Designer Drug To Watch Out For. (2015, January 19). Retrieved from http://www.serenityrecovery.com/news/flakka-a-new-designer-drug-to-watch-out-for/

 

Man robs woman at ATM, tells police he spent most of week high on 'flakka' | Local News WPBF Home. (2015, January 13). Retrieved from http://www.wpbf.com/news/man-robs-woman-at-atm-tells-police-hes-too-high-to-recall-many-details/30682302