House continues fight against synthetic drugs

The American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC) is again warning of the dangers of synthetic drugs. New synthetics are being produced at a rapid rate and are leading to more calls to the poison control centers around the Country.

The House has been leading the fight against synthetic drugs for the past five years. House File 567 was sent to the Senate to address dangerous synthetic drugs. The Senate amended the bill and sent it back to the House.

According to the Governor’s Office of Drug Control Policy, and the AAPCC, through the first four months of 2015, poison control centers received 1,900 calls from people seeking help for reactions to synthetic drugs.

This problem will continue to grow until states successfully crack down on the production and distribution of these drugs. ODCP reports that synthetic drugs are underreported because there is no requirement in Iowa. However, the Iowa Poison Control Center has received 10 calls in April regarding synthetic drug exposure. Those numbers can be expected to continually rise until action is taken.

New synthetic drugs continue to pop up around the country. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), a synthetic cathinone called “flakka” is becoming very popular. It can cause “excited delirium” that includes hallucinations, paranoia, and violent action.

On their website NIDA explains "The drug has been liked to deaths by suicide as well as heart attack. It can also dangerously raise body temperature and lead to kidney damage or failure." You can learn more about this drug and others on their website http://www.drugabuse.gov/drugs-abuse/emerging-trends

The House is working to keep Iowans safe through responsible legislation that allows prosecutors more options for charging producers and distributes of synthetic drugs.