Narconon Puts Spotlight on Synthetic Drug Education Prevention

As one of the leaders in the field of addiction treatment, Narconon has its finger on the pulse of the world of drug use. Over the past several years, they have seen a fundamental change in the patterns of addiction, with increasing numbers of the people who reach out to them for help coming in after struggling with addiction not to traditional street drugs such as marijuana, cocaine and heroin, but to pharmaceutical drugs including the opiate painkillers OxyContin and Vicodin. More recently, there has been a shift back to heroin, as the authorities have been cracking down on nonmedical use of painkillers and addicts have transitioned to heroin as a cheaper and more readily available alternative.

One of the latest developments has been the advent of synthetic drugs. The term, “synthetic drugs” refers to a category of chemical substances which have been found to get a person high in ways similar to many of the well-known street drugs. Spice and K2 are brand names commonly used to refer to synthetic marijuana, which can be any one of several different chemical formulations sprayed on plant material which is smoked much like naturally occurring cannabis. Bath salts are a type of drug known as cathinones, which have stimulant effects similar to cocaine and methamphetamine. Another common synthetic drug is known variously as “Smiles” or “N-Bomb,” and has effects similar to the hallucinogen mescaline. These and other synthetic drugs are not only similar in their effects to other drugs, but are also in many cases substantially more powerful and very often produce unpredictable side-effects due to the variable nature of their chemical composition.

New Narconon Online Resource About Synthetic Drugs

In an effort to prevent these drugs from spreading any further than they already have, Narconon has stepped forward to take preventative action. While they are well known as a provider of drug rehab services at centers across the United States and indeed worldwide, Narconon is also a leader in the effort to provide drug abuse prevention education to teens and families alike. One way they do this is by delivering educational lectures to middle- and high-school students in the tens of thousands every year, while another approach is through the publication of educational materials in booklets and online media. Recently, the organization has released new section of their website, (which can be found through this link) to educate people about the subject of synthetic drugs. The site features information including the history of synthetic drugs, a list of the names for common synthetic drugs, an explanation of the struggles that law enforcement agencies encounter in attempting to keep synthetic drugs out of the hands of users, descriptions of the dangerous effects of this type of drug, and information about where to find help for someone who is addicted to synthetic drugs.

It could easily be said that ignorance is the most powerful reason why synthetic drugs are becoming popular. For one thing, many of those who try synthetic drugs do so under the assumption that they are somehow safer than traditional drugs. Others choose synthetic drugs because they are thought to be legal, although recent legislation on the federal level and in many states has placed strict bans on the drugs. By taking the time to learn the facts about synthetic drugs and ensuring that your loved ones understand the risks involved, you can help to prevent the further spread of these dangerous substances and potentially save those you care about from getting hooked or suffering severe health complications. Read the new Narconon guide to synthetic drugs and share it with others.