K2/Spice-the other Designer Drug

In my experience, K2 was the second highest mountain in the world.  Today it is another name for a mixture of herbs and spices that are typically sprayed with synthetic compounds that mimic THC, the active ingredient in Marijuana.  Here are some myths surrounding Spice/K2:                              

-It is legal,  In 2011 the DEA outlawed 5 of the most common chemicals used to make Spice.

-Spice is like marijuana so it must be safe  The big danger is that kids brains are still developing and we don’t know about the long term affects.  We do know that with long term use it causes memory loss, mental deficits, and psychosis.   Which by the way happens with “safe” marijuana too!

-No worries, no test is available to detect Spice  A urine drug test is available to detect

The same problems exist with this designer drug as with all others, you never know what you are going to get and what might happen.  The list of pseudo-cannabinoids keeps growing, as designer drug chemists create new variations to stay ahead of the authorities.  Zohai, Genie, K3, Bliss, Blaze, Nice, Black Mamba, Incense, fake weed, Bombay Blue,  Mr. Smiley, Red X Dawn are all names for Spice.  Whatever the name, treatment centers are reporting increased admissions of patients addicted to Spice.  I did not start drug testing my kids until I noticed a change in behavior.  I was talking to a friend yesterday who drug tests his kids randomly.  He related to me the conversation he had with his adult child concerning the random tests.  His son said that it was one of the most effective things he did as a parent.  The random tests really helped relieve the peer pressure he was subjected to as a teen and postponed decisions about using drugs and drinking until he was old enough to make informed ones.  In this era of designer drugs, it is good to know that the laboratories are working furiously to keep up with the underground chemists.  Tests are available for most designer drugs.